Untitled Deck

Question 1

Research method

Answer 1

It was a laboratory experiment with controlled situations.

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To investigate whether a child would learn aggression by observing a model and would reproduce this behaviour in the absence of the model, and whether the sex of the role model was important.

Question 3

Research Design

Answer 3

Independent measures design

Question 4

Independent Variable:

Answer 4

• Model-type: aggressive or non-aggressive model
• Model-gender: whether the model is the same gender as the child or not.
• Learner-gender: whether the child was a boy or girl.

Question 5

Dependent Variable:

Answer 5

The behavior the child displayed, which was measured through a controlled observation.

Question 6

Sample

Answer 6

72 children aged 3-6 years. There were 36 boys and 36 girls obtained from the Stanford University nursery.

Question 7

Sampling technique

Answer 7

Opportunity sampling.

Question 8

Hypothesis 1

Answer 8

Observed aggressive behaviour will be imitated.

Question 8

Hypothesis 2

Answer 8

Observed non-aggressive behaviour will be imitated.

Question 9

Hypothesis 3

Answer 9

Children are more likely to copy a same-sex model.

Question 10

Hypothesis 4

Answer 10

Boys will be more likely to copy aggression than girls.

Question 11

Hypothesis 1 Results

Answer 11

Children exposed to an aggressive model were significantly more aggressive.

Question 12

Hypothesis 2 Results

Answer 12

Non-aggressive model - less aggression, especially in girls

Question 13

Hypothesis 3 Results

Answer 13

Boys imitated male models’ physical aggression more; girls imitated female models’ verbal aggression

Question 14

Hypothesis 4 Results

Answer 14

Boys showed more physical aggression than girls overall.

Question 15

Strengths

Answer 15

1. It was a laboratory experiment, so it was possible to control extraneous variables. For example, all children had seen their models for the same length of time. Model behaviour was standardised. This makes the research more valid, reliable, and replicable.
2. There is high inter-rater reliability, and it leads to accurate data collection.
3. Children were unaware that they were being watched, and this increased validity as they are less likely to show demand characteristics.

Question 16

Weaknesses

Answer 16

1. Only 6 children were used in each experimental condition and this is a small sample. Further, they all attended the same nursery and had academically able parents. This could bias the sample and lower the validity.
2. Children may have imitated behavior, due to demand characteristics and social desirability, as they might have thought that they had to imitate the model.
3. A longitudinal study would have better explained the durability of the newly learned behavior.

Question 17

Ethical Issues

Answer 17

1. Some children might have been harmed by becoming more aggressive.
2. Children had been mildly annoyed, which could be psychologically distressing.
3. Children didn’t have the opportunity to consent or withdraw.