Bandura

Question 1

What is the aim of Bandura study

Answer 1

To see if children exposed to an aggressive role model would imitate aggressive behaviour, and also whether sex of role model and the child made a difference

Question 2

Participants in Bandura study

Answer 2

72 children aged 3-5, 36 boys and 36 girls from Stanford University nursery

Question 3

Procedure of Bandura a study

Answer 3

Children observed on their natural aggression levels using 4 5-point rating scales
Children in experimental room for 10 mins with role model and bobo doll. In aggressive condition, role model would assemble tinker toy for about a minute then begin aggressive Bobo doll play “Sock him in the nose” “pow!”. In non-agg condition model just assembled tinker toy,
Then moved to aggression arousal room for 2 mins. Attractive toys eg fire truck and jet plane. Then told these toys were for other children
Then moved to imitation room with bobo doll, aggressive toys (gun + hammer) and non aggressive toys (tea set, bear) behaviour recorded every 5 seconds for 20 mins by two observers behind a one-way mirror

Question 4

Results of Bandura study

Answer 4

100% of ps exposed to aggressive behaviour imitated aggressive behaviour
Boys more likely to imitate male rolemodel aggressive behaviour

Question 5

Conclusion of Bandura study

Answer 5

This is evidence for the social learning theory - children learn through observation.
Children imitate (aggressive) behaviour when an adult role model displays it
Male adults have greater influence on children’s behaviour than female

Question 6

Ivs of Bandura study

Answer 6

3-ivs:
-aggressive/non-aggressive/no rolemodel(control)
-gender of child
-gender of role model

Question 7

Bandura method and design

Answer 7

Lab experiment, independent measures, matched participants (based on aggression)

Question 8

Bandura strengths

Answer 8

Replicable - highly controlled, lab setting, more scientific
High inter-rater reliability
Ecological validity - Children were unaware they were being watched, didn’t show demand characteristics

Question 9

Bandura weaknesses

Answer 9

Unethical - witnessing aggressive behaviour could cause psychological harm
Unrepresentative - all came from Stanford university nursery