Bandura et al. (1961)

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

Social Learning Theory: According to SLT, aggressive behaviours are learned through reinforcement and the imitation of aggressive ‘models’ (Bandura, 1965, 1973, 1974). Imitation is the reproduction of learning through observation (observational learning), and involves observing other people who serve as models for behaviour.

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Hypotheses

Answer 3

1. Children shown aggressive models will show significantly more imitative aggressive acts resembling those of their models than those shown non-aggressive or no
2. Children shown non-aggressive models will show significantly less aggressive behaviour than those shown aggressive or no models.
3. Boys will show significantly more imitative aggression than girls.
4. Children will imitate same-sex model behaviour to a greater degree than opposite-sex behaviour.

Question 4

Sample

Answer 4

72 children (36 boys, 36 girls), aged 37-69 months (mean 52 months), from Stanford University Nursery School.

Participants were matched through a procedure which pre-rated them for aggressiveness. They were rated on four, five-point rating scales by the experimenter and a nursery school teacher and 24 were assigned to one of 2 experimental groups or the control group.

Question 5

Procedure

Answer 5

The independent variables (IVs) were:

1. Whether the child witnessed an aggressive or a non-aggressive adult model in the first phase of the experiment (a control group was not exposed to an adult model).
2. The sex of the model (male or female).
3. The sex of the child (boy or girl).

The dependent variable (DV) was the amount of imitative behaviour and aggression shown by the child in phase three.

Question 6

Findings

Answer 6

1. Children will imitate aggressive/non-aggressive behaviours displayed by adult models, even if the model is not present, e.g. children in the aggressive condition went on to play with the Bobo doll aggressively when alone.
2. Children can learn behaviour though observation and imitation, e.g. Children in the aggressive condition showed significantly more imitation of physical and verbal aggressive behaviour and verbal responses than children in the non-aggressive or control conditions.
3. Both boys and girls are more likely to learn highly masculine-typed behaviour such as physical aggression from a male adult rather than a female, e.g. The behaviour of the male model exerted greater influence than the female model.