Bandura Et Al

Question 1

What psychological theory was Bandura’s study based on?

Answer 1

Social Learning Theory (SLT), which suggests behavior is learned through observation and imitation.

Question 2

What was the main aim of Bandura’s study?

Answer 2

To investigate whether children would imitate aggression modeled by an adult and whether factors such as the model’s gender and the child’s gender influenced this imitation.

Question 3

What type of research method did Bandura use in the study?

Answer 3

Bandura used a laboratory experiment with controlled conditions and systematic observation of children’s behavior.

Question 4

What was the sample size and gender divide of Bandura’s study?

Answer 4

72 children

36 girls 36 boys

Question 5

Where did Bandura recruit his sample from?

Answer 5

Stanford University Nursery School

Question 6

What experimental design was used?

Answer 6

Matched pairs design (children were matched on initial aggression levels).

Question 7

How were aggression levels measured before the experiment?

Answer 7

Through observations by teachers and researchers.

Question 8

What were the three experimental conditions?

Answer 8

Aggressive model

Non-aggressive model

Control (no model).

Question 9

What happened in the aggressive model condition?

Answer 9

The adult model physically and verbally attacked a Bobo doll (e.g., hitting, punching, using aggressive phrases like “Sock him in the nose!”).

Question 10

What happened in the non-aggressive model condition?

Answer 10

The model played calmly with other toys and ignored the Bobo doll.

Question 11

What happened in the control condition?

Answer 11

Children had no exposure to a model.

Question 12

Why were the children deliberately frustrated?

Answer 12

To create similar emotional states and test if aggression would be imitated.

Question 13

How was frustration induced?

Answer 13

Children were taken to a room with toys, but after a short time, they were told the toys were for other children and they could not play with them.

Question 14

What did the playroom contain?

Answer 14

Aggressive toys (Bobo doll, mallet, dart gun) and non-aggressive toys (tea set, crayons, dolls).

Question 15

How was children’s behavior recorded?

Answer 15

Observers recorded aggression every 5 seconds for 20 minutes using a structured tally system.

Question 16

What was the main finding of the study?

Answer 16

Children who observed an aggressive model displayed significantly more aggressive behavior than those in the non-aggressive or control conditions.

Question 17

What was the average number of aggressive acts in the aggressive model condition?

Answer 17

25.8 aggressive acts on average.

Question 18

What was the average number of aggressive acts in the non-aggressive model condition?

Answer 18

1.6 aggressive acts on average.

Question 19

What was the average number of aggressive acts in the control group?

Answer 19

2.0 aggressive acts on average.

Question 20

Did children imitate the exact aggressive actions of the model?

Answer 20

Yes, they copied both physical and verbal aggressive behaviour.

Question 21

Did children in the non-aggressive condition show aggression?

Answer 21

They had the lowest levels, even below the control group.

Question 22

How did boys and girls differ in aggression?

Answer 22

Boys showed more physical aggression than girls.

Question 23

What made children more likely to imitate models?

Answer 23

The model being the same gender as the participant.

Question 24

What conclusion did Bandura draw from the study?

Answer 24

Aggressive behavior can be learned through observation and imitation without direct reinforcement.

Question 25

How does the study support Social Learning Theory?

Answer 25

It demonstrates the role of observational learning and modeling in behavior acquisition.

Question 26

What does the study suggest about media influences?

Answer 26

Exposure to violent behavior in media may lead to imitation in real life.

Question 27

Why was the study high in internal validity?

Answer 27

The study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, which ensured that extraneous variables were minimized. The use of a matched pairs design (matching children based on their initial aggression levels) reduced individual differences. This control allows researchers to confidently conclude that observing the model’s behavior directly influenced the children’s aggression rather than other external factors.

Question 28

How did Bandura ensure the study was reliable?

Answer 28

The study used a standardised procedure, including the same models, behaviors, and observation techniques across all participants. The use of two independent observers (inter-rater reliability) ensured consistent recording of aggression. Because of its clear structure, the study has been replicated multiple times with similar results, demonstrating high reliability in findings.

Question 29

How is Bandura’s study useful in real-world settings?

Answer 29

The study has important applications in understanding media influence on children and the role of role models in behavior development. It has been used to inform policies on limiting children’s exposure to violent media, as well as shaping parenting and education strategies to promote positive behavior through reinforcement of non-aggressive models.

Question 30

What are the ethical concerns in Bandura’s study?

Answer 30

The study raises ethical issues, particularly regarding psychological harm. Children were exposed to aggressive behavior, which could have long-term effects on their behavior. Additionally, they were deliberately frustrated (by being denied toys), which could have caused distress. Since the participants were young children, informed consent would have been obtained from parents, but children themselves may not have fully understood their participation.

Question 31

Why might the study lack ecological validity?

Answer 31

The study took place in a controlled laboratory setting, which is artificial and does not fully represent real-life situations. The aggression was directed at a Bobo doll, an inanimate object that does not retaliate, unlike real people. This means the findings may not fully apply to real-world aggression, where consequences and social interactions play a role in behavior.

Question 32

Why is generalising Bandura’s findings difficult?

Answer 32

The sample consisted of 72 children from Stanford University Nursery School, meaning they were from a middle-class American background. This limits the ability to generalise findings to children from different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, or age groups. Additionally, the study focused only on short-term imitation, so it does not show whether aggression learned through modeling persists over time.