bandura et al. Flashcards
psychology being investigated
- social learning theory
- aggression
background
- Previous research showed that children imitate observed behaviour when models
are present. Bandura wanted to know whether children would imitate observed aggressive acts when models were absent.
-Parents tend to reinforce children’s ‘sex-appropriate’ behaviour so children may be more likely to imitate same-sex models
aims
To investigate whether observed behaviour is imitated in a new setting in the absence of the model, specifically:
1. children observing an aggressive model exhibit more aggressive acts than
those observing a non-aggressive model
2. children observing a non-aggressive model exhibit fewer aggressive acts than those who do not observe a model
- children who observe same-sex aggressive models exhibit more aggressive acts than those who observe opposite-sex aggressive models
- boys exhibit more aggressive acts than girls.
research method
lab experiment
research design
matched design:
-each child was observed by the experimenter and a nursery teacher. Their aggression level was rated using 4 5-point scales.
-Children put into groups of three with children of a similar aggression level to each other. Next, one child was randomly allocated to each of the 3 conditions
data collection techniques
- Observation: covert, non-participant, structured, controlled; observed through a one-way mirror using behavioural categories.
- Time sampling: a 20-minute session divided into 5-second intervals, giving 240
response ‘units’.
independent variables:
- control group (no model), aggressive model, non-aggressive model
-sex of model (same or opposite to the child) - sex of children
dependent variable
number of behaviours (out of 240 maximum) in each of the
following response categories:
- imitative aggression responses
- partially imitative responses
- non-imitative aggressive responses
imitative aggression responses
physical aggression, verbal aggression, nonaggressive verbal responses
partially imitative responses
mallet aggression, sits on Bobo doll but does not behave aggressively
non-imitative aggressive responses
punches Bobo doll, non-imitative physical and verbal aggression, aggressive gun play.
sample
Size: 36 boys and 36 girls.
Demographic: 3–6 year-olds (mean age: 4 years, 4 months); attended Stanford University nursery school.
Procedure
- modelling-
-the child played with potato prints and stickers and the adult played with a tinker toy set. The room had a 5 ft inflatable Bobo doll and other toys
- the model then behaved either in a non-aggressive way or in an aggressive way
- After 10 mins, the child was taken to another room by the experimenter - Mild aggression arousal
- The second room contained attractive toys
- After 2 mins, the experimenter told the child the toys were for other children and took the child to a third room. - Test for delayed imitation
- This room contained aggressive toys eg. mallet and non-aggressive toys eg. tea set and a 3 ft Bobo doll
- The child was left alone. Their behaviour was observed for 20 mins through a one-way mirror.
how did the model behave in the aggressive condition
hits Bobo with a mallet, sits on Bobo and punches his nose,
throws and kicks Bobo
verbal aggression included ‘sock it in the nose’ and ‘kick him’
how did the model behave in the non- aggressive condition
the model played quietly
how was the control condition
no model present in playroom
what attractive toys were in the second room
- fire engine
- doll set
- spinning top
controls
- Toys in rooms one and three were placed in the same positions.
- The model’s actions were always the same, in the same order and length of time.
- Observations were made by two independent observers. Observer data was compared to assess inter-rater reliability.
ethical issues
- Psychological harm: the children witnessed aggressive behaviour and were mildly provoked; the expected outcome was to imitate aggression.
- Confidentiality: children were not named in the article, but the nursery the children went to was named.
results
- Children in the aggressive model condition showed significantly more imitation of
physical and verbal aggression than children who saw the non-aggressive model or no model condition. - Children in the non-aggressive model condition showed very little aggression.
- Same-sex effect for boys but not for girls. Boys imitated the male model more than the female model.
- Male models had a greater influence on behaviour than female models in both
boys and girls. - Boys imitated more physical aggression than girls.
conclusions
- Observing aggressive models can lead to imitative aggression in another setting
and in the absence of the model. - Aggressive behaviour of male models is more likely to be imitated than that of female models.
evaluation
- Reliability
- standardisation (S)
- inter-observer reliability (S)
- inter-rater reliability (S) - Validity
- matched aggression scores (S)
- only 2 stooges (W) - Objectivity
-quantitative data (S)
- inside information (W)
- sinle-blind (S) - Generalisations
-generalising beyond the sample (W)
-generalisin to everyday life (W)
issues and debates
- Use of children in psychological research
- Children are more vulnerable to demand characteristics.
- Children may believe adults expect them to copy the aggression. - Application to everyday life
-The study suggests children should be exposed to friendly and prosocial role models so the findings can be applied to parenting and education of children.
-TV networks should censor content or provide warnings to prevent children from viewing aggressive content in programmes.
