Behaviourist

The Social Learning Theory Of Aggression
We do not learn through traditional learning theory of rewards alone
Must learn indirectly, in a social context
Theory first applied to aggressive behaviours

Observational Learning
Children watch behaviour of role models and imitate.
E.G. Bandura's Bobo Doll study.

Vicarious Reinforcement
Indirectly learning behaviour through seeing others being rewarded/punished for their behaviour.

Mental Representation
Must store information regarding associated rewards/punishments- the expectancies of future outcomes.

Maintenance Through Direct Experience

Systematic Desensitisation
Developed by Wolpe in 1950s
Mentally disordered behaviour is learned
Learn a new stimulus-response association through classical conditioning
Aims to suppress undesirable behaviour 

Desensitisation Hierarchy
Patient taught relaxation techniques
Therpist and patient construct hierarchy, least to most anxiety provoking
Patient gradually works through, practising relaxation
Eventually masters most anxiety-provoking scene, overcoming their phobia

Counterconditioning
Patient is taught new association which runs counter to original, removing the original 

Strengths
Scientific
Clear variables- stimulus, response etc. 
Directly observed and measured

Successful Applications
Classical conditioning applied in aversion therapy and systematic desensitisation
Used to overcome addictions and phobias

Weaknesses
Deterministic
Undermines sense of choice or free will
Implies that we do not murder due to punishment, not morals

Relevance
Animals are no different to humans
Implies that humans have no power of thought