bandura et al.

Question 1

psychology being investigated

Answer 1

1. social learning theory
2. aggression

Question 2

background

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

aims

Answer 3

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

3. children who observe same-sex aggressive models exhibit more aggressive acts than those who observe opposite-sex aggressive models
4. boys exhibit more aggressive acts than girls.

Question 4

research method

Answer 4

lab experiment

Question 5

research design

Answer 5

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

Question 6

data collection techniques

Answer 6

1. Observation: covert, non-participant, structured, controlled; observed through a one-way mirror using behavioural categories.
2. Time sampling: a 20-minute session divided into 5-second intervals, giving 240
   response ‘units’.

Question 7

independent variables:

Answer 7

• control group (no model), aggressive model, non-aggressive model
  -sex of model (same or opposite to the child)
• sex of children

Question 8

dependent variable

Answer 8

number of behaviours (out of 240 maximum) in each of the
following response categories:
- imitative aggression responses
- partially imitative responses
- non-imitative aggressive responses

Question 9

imitative aggression responses

Answer 9

physical aggression, verbal aggression, nonaggressive verbal responses

Question 10

partially imitative responses

Answer 10

mallet aggression, sits on Bobo doll but does not behave aggressively

Question 11

non-imitative aggressive responses

Answer 11

punches Bobo doll, non-imitative physical and verbal aggression, aggressive gun play.

Question 12

sample

Answer 12

Size: 36 boys and 36 girls.

Demographic: 3–6 year-olds (mean age: 4 years, 4 months); attended Stanford University nursery school.

Question 13

Procedure

Answer 13

1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.

Question 14

how did the model behave in the aggressive condition

Answer 14

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’

Question 15

how did the model behave in the non- aggressive condition

Answer 15

the model played quietly

Question 16

how was the control condition

Answer 16

no model present in playroom

Question 17

what attractive toys were in the second room

Answer 17

• fire engine
• doll set
• spinning top

Question 18

controls

Answer 18

• 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.

Question 19

ethical issues

Answer 19

1. Psychological harm: the children witnessed aggressive behaviour and were mildly provoked; the expected outcome was to imitate aggression.
2. Confidentiality: children were not named in the article, but the nursery the children went to was named.

Question 20

results

Answer 20

1. 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.
2. Children in the non-aggressive model condition showed very little aggression.
3. Same-sex effect for boys but not for girls. Boys imitated the male model more than the female model.
4. Male models had a greater influence on behaviour than female models in both
   boys and girls.
5. Boys imitated more physical aggression than girls.

Question 21

conclusions

Answer 21

1. Observing aggressive models can lead to imitative aggression in another setting
   and in the absence of the model.
2. Aggressive behaviour of male models is more likely to be imitated than that of female models.

Question 22

evaluation

Answer 22

1. Reliability
   - standardisation (S)
   - inter-observer reliability (S)
   - inter-rater reliability (S)
2. Validity
   - matched aggression scores (S)
   - only 2 stooges (W)
3. Objectivity
   -quantitative data (S)
   - inside information (W)
   - sinle-blind (S)
4. Generalisations
   -generalising beyond the sample (W)
   -generalisin to everyday life (W)

Question 23

issues and debates

Answer 23

1. Use of children in psychological research
   - Children are more vulnerable to demand characteristics.
   - Children may believe adults expect them to copy the aggression.
2. 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.