| Using a structural equation modeling approach, this study examines the capacity of Albert Bandura's social learning theory of aggression to predict and explain high school aggression, violence, instrumental aggression, and school vandalism and delinquency. In addition, this study assesses the nature of the contribution of personality constructs to a social learning explanation of school behaviors. A self-report questionnaire measuring the central constructs of social learning theory and personality characteristics was administered to a sample of 1,974 high school students across two school districts in central and southern California. The results of this study underscore the importance of specifying the different causal processes that underline a social learning explanation of diverse high school behaviors. Implications for social learning theory as well as adolescent aggression and school violence research are discussed. |
Updated 05/20/2006