Bandura (1965) - Original Bobo Doll Experiments

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To investigate whether
children were more likely to aggress having observed aggression
they selectively imitate same-sex models
boys were more prone overall to acquiring aggressive behaviour

Question 2

Sample

Answer 2

36 boys and 36 girls
Aged 3-6yrs
Matched pairs design

Question 3

IV and DV

Answer 3

IV = modelling of aggression, sex of model and same/different sex model/observer
DV = level of child’s aggression

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

Social behaviour can be squired through imitation of models
Imitation is more likely when modelled behaviour is gender-typical and when model and observer are the same gender
Boys more likely to imitate PHYSICAL aggression, girls verbal (but only slightly)
Boys still very aggressive even without model to observe

Question 5

Strength

Answer 5

+Reduced individual differences and confounding variables = Children taking part matched for aggression
+Non-aggressive conditions allowed researchers to control for spontaneous aggression
+Conformity effects = observing the children one at a time
+Internal validity = high degree of control in experimental design

Question 6

Weakness

Answer 6

-Generalisability and Ecological validity = Lab experiment artifical and playing with doll does not relate to typical situation in real life
- External validity = Experimental procedure lacks external validity, might not be able to generalise to settings outside laboratory

Question 7

Findings

Answer 7

-Children who witnessed aggression = more likely to imitate
-Children who observed non aggressive behaviour or hasnt observed displayed less aggression (70% of cases showed none)
-Children in aggressive group = more likely to engage in non imitative aggression
-Boys more likely to imitate shown by same sex model and more likely to imitate physical aggression

Question 8

How were behaviours categorised in Bandura?

Answer 8

Imitative aggression = sitting on Bobo or saying pow like the model
Partially imitative = malleting other toys
Non imitative aggression = punching Bobo and saying hostile things not said by model

Question 9

How were children assigned to each condition in Bandura

Answer 9

Randomly allocated to 1 of 3 conditions
Equal number of boys and girls and equally aggressive children

Question 10

Procedure

Answer 10

1) Children brought into room with observation window and allowed to play with toys
2) Taken to another room where they are deliberately frustrated (shown toys for other kids)
3) Taken into playroom where behaviour observed through one way mirror (covert), second observer present for half of trials to determine inter rate reliability

Question 11

Results - statistics important

Answer 11

Physical aggression:

-Same sex:
Boys = 26
Girls = 5.5
-Different sex:
Boys = 12
Girls = 7

Verbal Aggression:
-Same sex:
B = 13
G = 14
-Different sex:
B = 4
G = 2

Non-Imitative aggression and no model:
B = 25
G = 6