comparing bandura et al and chaney et al Flashcards
THE TOPIC
Influence of social learning versus
operant conditioning
The studies by Bandura et al. and Chaney et al. are both about
developmental psychology, specifically about the ways in which
external influences can influence behaviour. However, Bandura
et al. looked at how children imitate aggressive behaviour they
have observed in adult role models, and Chaney et al. looked at
how children will increase desirable behaviour such as medical
compliance when positively reinforced.
THE RESEARCH METHOD AND DESIGN
Laboratory experiment versus field
experiment using independent groups design
versus repeated measures design
Although both studies were experiments, Bandura et al.
used a laboratory experiment and Chaney et al. used a field
experiment. In both studies, therefore, there were attempts to
control variables, which increases validity and reliability. The
extent to which this was achieved was different Chaney et al.’s
study experimenters could not control the many environmental
factors that would have impacted on compliance. Additionally,
Bandura et al. used an independent measures design, which
meant participants viewed different behaviour from models,
while Chaney et al.’s participants trialled both asthma devices,
making the study a repeated measures design.
SAMPLING TECHNIQUE AND THE SAMPLE
Opportunity versus random sampling
method; both used young children
Bandura et al. drew their participants from a local nursery,
while Chaney et al. used a random sampling method to
recruit children and their families through local paediatrician
or GP clinics. Bandura et al.’s method is likely to be less
representative overall, as the children have come from a
smaller geographical area and are likely to share more
characteristics than the diverse sample obtained by Chaney et
al. Both studies used young children of a similar age, with the
mean age of children being 4.3 years in Bandura et al.’s study,
and 3.2 years in Chaney et al.’s sample.
EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS AND
MEASUREMENT OF THE DV
Both studies used tasks that lacked validity
and collected mainly quantitative data
In the study by Bandura et al., children were asked to play in
the presence of strange adult in an unfamiliar room and then
had their behaviour towards a Bobo doll observed. Neither
of these tasks was particularly ecologically valid and may
not represent how aggression is learned in real life. Similarly,
children and families involved in Chaney et al.’s study might
have behaved differently as they were monitored via self-
report on use of the Funhaler.
Both studies collected primarily quantitative data. In the
Bandura et al. study this consisted of the observers’ recordings
of the three types of aggression displayed by children. In
the Chaney et al. study, researchers recorded compliance
rates through random questioning and a formal matched
item questionnaire. In both pieces of research, the use of
quantitative data allowed a simple and direct comparison of
the experimental and control conditions.
APPLICATIONS
Modifying children’s behaviour
Bandura et al.’s study has many important applications when
dealing with how individuals learn and express aggression in
the real world. It can help psychologists and social workers
understand the attitudes and behaviour of children from
families who have witnessed physical and verbal aggression,
for example. Chaney et al.’s study is also useful for those
looking to modify children’s behaviour, specifically through
the use of positive reinforcement to encourage young people
to follow treatment programmes in their home environments.
Both of these studies support the development of strategies to
improve children’s safety and well-being.
KEY THEME: EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON
CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOUR
Bandura et al. make a major contribution to our understanding
of how children acquire new behaviours. The study shows
how the principles of observational learning – observation
and imitation of an adult role model – can be used to explain
aggressive behaviour. This contradicted the existing theories of
the time, such as Freud’s idea that watching aggression would
actually lower one’s own aggressive impulses. Importantly
it also demonstrated that the characteristics of a role model
might influence how likely they are to be imitated.
By contrast, Chaney et al. identified a particular issue
in clinical practice: issues of non-compliance to medical
regimes. The study is also significant on the grounds that
it demonstrates how effective simple, low-cost operant
conditioning strategies such as the Funhaler can be. This changes our understanding of how children’s behaviour can
be influenced by external forces. Instead of being an outdated,
disused approach, operant conditioning is at the cutting-edge
of behavioural modification, and can usefully be applied to
real-world issues such as children’s health.
