Bandura Et Al Flashcards
Background on Bandura et al’s (1961) study on aggression
Learning theory
-The behaviour perspective suggest behaviours. Learn directly through classical and operant conditioning.
Social learning theory
-Bandura suggested that learning also occurs with indirect rewards his social learning theory proposed that people observe role models and imitate their behaviours
Aims on Bandura as (1961) Experiment on aggression
To investigate whether
-Children will imitate specific acts of aggression and behave more aggressively generally
-Participants are more likely to imitate same gender models and boys more likely than girls to imitate aggression.
Design method on Bandura as (1961) Experiment on aggression
Lab experiment matched participants design, ( based on aggressiveness )using observational techniques
IV; AGGRESSIVE OR NON-AGGRESSIVE MODEL, GENDER OF MODEL AND GENDER OF CHILD
DV: imitation of aggression acts, observed in the experimental room
Sample, on Bandura as (1961) Experiment on aggression
Opportunity sample, children from a university nursery School in Stanford, California, 36 boys and 36 girls age between 37 and 69 months mean age 52 months
Material/apparatus, on Bandura as (1961) Experiment on aggression
The children are model played with various toys, including a Bobo doll, which is an inflatable doll, about 5 feet tall
Procedure on Bandura as (1961) Experiment on aggression
Phase 1; modelling
-Children played in an experimental room, watching a model play with toys, including a Bobo doll.
-children placed in
Experimental group one (aggressive group) = observed an aggressive model who sat on Bobo punched. It “said pow “etc.
-experimental group, 2 (non-aggressive group) observed a non-aggressive model.
-control group, no model present
Phase 2 ; aggression, arousal
Children taken to another room and played with interactive toys. This was stopped so children would feel frustrated.
Phase 3, tested for delayed imitation
Children taken to 3rd room and were observed playing with toys including the Bobo doll. Children observed through one way mirror observations recorded as imitative aggression, e.g. sitting on Bobo partially imitated, e.g. using mallet on other toys and non-imitative, squeezing Bobo.
Results on Bandura as (1961) Experiment on aggression
Imitation of aggression
= complete imitation children in aggressive group, imitated models, physical and verbal behaviours e.g. saying both aggressive and non-aggressive behaviours.
Children and the non-aggressive and control groups displayed very few aggressive behaviours
Partial imitation, children and aggressive group, imitated models behaviours
Non-imitative aggression, the aggressive group displayed more non-imitative aggression than the non-aggressive group
Gender affect
Same gender, imitation for boys, but not for girls
Men models had a greater influence than women models
Boys limit more physical aggression than girls
Conclusion, on Bandura as (1961) Experiment on aggression
People will produce new behaviours that they have observed and generalised these behaviours to other situations
This also shows that men are more likely to be modelled, possibly because of the perceived highest status (at the time of the study)
research method and techniques
+ the manipulation of ivs allowed conclusions about coal effect, e.g. watching a models behaviour causes imitation of aggression
+ lab conditions mean extremely variables can be well controlled, e.g. matching participants on aggressiveness. Therefore there was high internal validity.
-children were aware their behaviour was being studied. This may lead to demand characteristics. The Bobo doll invited children to behave aggressively.
-Observational techniques were used to measure imitation of aggression. These may be affected by observer bias.
Validity
+ aggressive behaviour towards an inflatable, though might not be representative of everyday life as people may be quite willing to hit a doll, but not a person
-This is a snapshot study, looking at short-term effects of observing aggression. Modelling affects may wear off. This reduces the validity of the study because we cannot generalise results to extended time periods.
Sampling bias
+ participants were children which allows Bandura et al to show how easily youngsters imitate models
-Children are more impressionable than adults, and may be more likely to be influenced by the behaviour of an aggressive model, which makes it difficult to generalise the result to adults
Types of data
+ quantitative data, counting the number of aggressive behaviour displayed
+ qualitative data, recalling the kinds of imitation that were made
Ethical considerations
+ parental informed consent is regarded as acceptable, but children should have a say
-The intervention aim to increase the children’s aggressiveness, lack of protection from psychological harm there was no attempt to reduce her aggressiveness after the study
Ethnocentrism
Participants were from a middle-class American national school, who may be less exposed to aggressive models in everyday life than children Who live in more violent areas of America
Children and the less violence society than America might be less winning to imitate antisocial behaviour
