Bandura

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

whether a child would learn aggression by observing a model and would reproduce this behaviour in the absence of the model, and whether the sex of the role model was important.

Question 2

Hypotheses

Answer 2

1. Observed aggressive behaviour will be imitated.
2. Observed non-aggressive behaviour will be imitated.
3. Children are more likely to copy a same-sex model.
4. Boys will be more likely to copy aggression than girls.

Question 3

Research method

Answer 3

Lab

Question 4

Research design

Answer 4

Independent measures design

Question 5

IV

Answer 5

• model-type: aggressive or non-aggressive model
• model-gender: whether the model is the same gender as the child or not.
• learner-gender: whether the child was a boy or girl.

Question 6

DV

Answer 6

The behaviour the child displayed, which was measured through a controlled observation.

Question 7

Sample

Answer 7

72 children, 3-6 years, 36 girls and 36 boys, opportunity sampling

Question 8

Procedure before experiment

Answer 8

Before the experiment, the children were observed in their nursery school by the experimenter and a teacher who knew them. They were rated on 4 five-point scales measuring physical aggression, verbal aggression, aggression to inanimate objects and anxiety.

Question 9

Procedure during experiment

Answer 9

They were assigned to 3 groups with their aggression levels matched. 51 children were rated by 2 observers and similar ratings were produced therefore, there is inter-rater reliability.
12 boys and 12 girls were in control groups who saw no model. The remaining children were divided equally by sex between aggressive and non-aggressive model groups, and within those, between same and opposite same-sex models.
The experimenter and children were in the ‘play area’ where they made potato prints. In the opposite corner of the room there was a table, chair, Tinkertoy set, mallet, and a 5-foot Bobo doll. This is where the model sat, in the conditions where there was one. The experimenter remained in the room but appeared to be working quietly at their desk. After the model behaviour for each condition, The experimental procedure continued when all participants were deliberately mildly annoyed. Children were told that they could play with the toys in the room, but 2 minutes into playing, they were told to stop. They were informed that the toys were reserved for other children and that the toys were the experimenter’s very best.

The child was observed for 20 minutes through a 1-way mirror. The experimental room had a 3-foot Bobo doll, a mallet and other toys. Their behaviour was observed in 5-second intervals. There was an inter-rater reliability score of 0.89.

Question 10

Model behaviour in non aggressive condition

Answer 10

the model assembled the Tinkertoy set for 10 minutes.

Question 11

Model behaviour in aggressive condition

Answer 11

the model assembled the toy for a minute and then attacked the Bobo doll. For 9 minutes the aggressive sequence was repeated 3 times. Aggressive comment made: “Kick him.”

Question 12

model behaviour in control condition

Answer 12

the student did not see any model.

Question 13

Results

Answer 13

Children exposed to aggressive models imitated their exact behaviour. They were significantly more aggressive than the children in other groups. Imitation was greater for boys than girls. Boys were more likely to imitate physical aggression and girls were more likely to imitate verbal aggression.

The average imitative physical aggression for male subjects with male models was 25.8 which is much higher than that for female subjects which was 7.2. This exhibits that boys imitated physical aggression more than girls. However, with a female model girls imitated less aggression than with the male model. Girls with female models imitated an average of 5.5. Boys with female models imitated an average of 12.4.
For non-aggressive play, girls played with dolls and boys played with guns. Comments were made on sex-typed behaviour.

Question 14

Conclusion

Answer 14

1. Observation and imitation cause behaviour to be learnt without reinforcement.
2. Observed aggressive behaviours are imitated.
3. Observed non-aggressive behaviours are imitated.
4. Children are more likely to copy a same-sex model.
5. Boys are more likely to copy aggression than girls.

Question 15

Strengths

Answer 15

1. High internal validity
2. High reliability

Question 16

Weakness

Answer 16

1. Low generalisability

Question 17

Application to everyday life

Answer 17

The study shows that when children (especially boys) are exposed to violence or aggression in real life or through the media, the models influence their behaviour.