Bandura (Aggression) Flashcards
Background
Operant conditioning- if you do something that brings pleasant consequences then you are likely to repeat the behaviour, this is positive reinforcement
Social learning theory- when a child observes the behaviour of role models and then imitates the behaviour. This is more likely to happen with important role models e.g. parents or teachers
Aim
To demonstrate that learning can occur through mere observation of a model and that imitation of learned behaviour can occur in the absence of that model
Sample
72 children from Stanford Bing Nursery
36 boys 36 girls age 3-5
Opportunity sampling
Method
Lab experiment with a matched pairs design
Control group (not exposed to the model), the group exposed to the aggressive model and the group exposed to the passive model
Procedure
Stage 1- modelling, children were individually shown to a room and played with toys and pictures in a coroner for 10 minutes. 24 children watched a male or female model behave aggressively towards a bobo doll e.g using a hammer and shouting. 24 watched a model with the bobo doll in a subdued manner quietly. The other 24 were not exposed to a model.
Stage 2- aggression arousal, the children were told that specific toys were being saved for other children and they were then moved to another room. It was presumed this would make the children more likely to become aggressive.
Stage 3- test for delayed imitation, they were in a room with aggressive toys (mallet, darts, bobo doll) and non aggressive toys (crayons, farm animals, bears) and behaviour was observed. Observed thought a one way mirror, 2 observers at different times (inter-rated reliability). Time sampling. Responses were recorded in categories
Findings
Behaviour of the male model had more influence than the female model
Boys produced more imitative physical aggression than girls (but not verbal)
Boys imitated male models more than girls for physical and verbal aggression and gun play
Girls imitated female models for verbal imitative aggression however results were not significant
Conclusions
Children will imitate aggressive/ non aggressive behaviours displayed by adult models, even if the model is not present
Children can learn through observation and imitation (SLT)
Behaviour modelled by male adults has a greater influence on children’s behaviour than female models
Both boys and girls are more likely to learn highly masculine type behaviours from a male rather than a female
Strengths
Nurture debate
Opportunity- easy to obtain
Lab experiment- scientific, standardised, reliable, valid
Matched pairs design
Inter rated reliability
Weaknesses
Lab experiment- not ecologically valid
Cannot generalise to adults
