Social Learning Theory (Bandura et al 1961) Flashcards
Aim
See if aggressive behaviour can be acquired by observation of an aggressive role model
Procedure:
Type of experiment
Lab experiment, matched pairs design
Procedure:
Sample size
36 boys, 36 girls
Procedure:
DV
Level of aggression the children displayed
Procedure:
IV
- Modelling of agression
- sex of role model
- observer
Procedure:
How were the groups paired
Paired by aggressiveness of the children, determined before experiment
Procedure:
What were the 3 conditions th children were put in
Aggresive group (role model was punching, kicking and shouting at bobo doll)
Non-aggressive group (role model was assembling toys)
Control group (no role model)
Procedure:
What was the process children went through in this experiment
- children brought into room and either observed the aggressive role model or passive role model
- Children then deliberaty frustrated by showing new shiny toys to them and being told they were for other children
- Children taken to play room and allowed to play with toys. Behaviour was observed by male-model. “nd observer present for inter-rated reliability
Findings:
Agressive role model group
more likely to completely or partially imitate the aggression shown by role model
Findings:
Non aggressive and control group
Displayed much less aggression, in fact about 70% of people displayed no aggresive behaviours.
Findings:
Gender differences of aggression
Male children displayed more psysical aggression whereas female children showed more verbal aggression.
Conclusion
Social behaviours like aggression can be acquired through imitation of role models. Imitation is more likely when role model is same gender as observer
Strength of internal validity of the study
Design of the experiment had clever features to reduce the amount of extraneous variables.
Strength of internal validity of the study:
Example of features that reduced extraneous variables
Children matched in the conditions were paired based off aggression levels. This reduced the chances of individual differences affecting aggression
Strength of internal validity of the study:
Why are these control variables a strength
We are reasonably sure the observed aggression was due to imitation of the aggressive role model
Weakness of the external validity of the experiment
It was conducted in a lab experiment, and the situation they were put in (showing aggression to the bobo doll) is different to how they would show aggression in real life scenarios.
Weakness of the external validity of the experiment:
Why does this mean it lacks external validity
we cannot be sure on how much the results can be generalised to real life scenarios
Strength of the application of the study
Can explain how children gather aggressive behaviour from adult role models like parents.
Strength of the application of the study:
Example of how this can be applied
In a custody battle, if a dad has a history of violence a son shouldn’t spend the most time with him as he may turn out to be aggresive like his father
Strength of application of the study:
Why is this a strength to application
Can shape our thought into the risks of when we expose children to violent adults
Weakness of the ethics
No real opportunity for children to withdraw, or for their parents to withdraw them. In addition there was some distress involved as children were made deliberately frustrated
Weakness of the ethics:
what did these ethical issues mean for the study
there were arguements that the procedure should not have been carried out
