Bandura et al Flashcards
What is social learning theory and the stages involved.
Behavior is learned from the environment through the process of observational learning.
Attention: the extent which we are exposed or notice a behaviour.
Retention: how well the behaviour is remembered.
Reproduction: the ability to perform the behaviour as observed.
Motivation: rewards and punishments for behaviour.
What did Bandura believe was the cause of aggressive behaviour?
Aggressive behaviours are learned through reinforcement and the imitation of aggressive ‘models’
What were Bandura’s 4 hypothesis?
Children shown aggressive models will imitative aggressive behaviour.
Children shown non-aggressive, subdued models will show less aggressive behaviour than those shown aggressive or no models.
Boys will show significantly more imitative aggression than girls.
Children will imitate same-sex model behaviour to a greater degree than opposite-sex behaviour
What was the aim of Bandura’s research?
To investigate if social behaviours (aggression) can be acquired by observation and imitation.
What research method was used in research by Bandura?
A lab experiment using a matched pairs design.
Participants were matched through a procedure which pre-rated them for aggressiveness.
On the basis of these
scores, participants were arranged in triplets and randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups or to the control group
What was the IV in research by Bandura et al.
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).
The sex of the model (male or female).
The sex of the child (boy or girl)
What was the DV in research by Bandura et al.
The amount of imitative behaviour and aggression shown by the child in phase three, measured by the male model.
A second researcher observing each child through a one-way mirror and noting down at 5-second intervals.
What sample was used in research by Bandura et al?
72 children (36 boys, 36 girls), aged 37-69 months (mean 52 months), from Stanford University Nursery School
Outline phase 1 of the procedure
Phase 1:
Children left in a room with model.
The aggressive model physically and verbally abused the Bobo doll using a standardised procedure.
Outline phase 2 of the procedure
Phase 2:
Children were taken into room on their own and allowed to play with attractive toys but after about two minutes the experimenter took the toys away saying they were reserved for other children
Outline phase 3 of the procedure
Children were then taken individually into a third room which contained both aggressive and non-aggressive toys.
Observed in a one may mirror for 20 mins, recorded on imitative aggression (physical, verbal and non-aggressive speech), partially imitative aggression, non-imitative physical and verbal aggression and non-aggressive behaviour.
Outline the key findings from the study.
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.
Overall boys produced more imitative physical aggression than girls.
Children imitated same sex models more than different sex models.
Girls imitated more verbal abuse.
Outline the possible conclusions from this reserach
Children will imitate aggressive/non-aggressive behaviours displayed by adult models, even if the model is not present.
Children can learn behaviour though observation and imitation.
Boys and girls are likely to learn verbal aggression from a same-sex adult
