Social Learning Theory (Bandura et al 1961)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

See if aggressive behaviour can be acquired by observation of an aggressive role model

Question 2

Procedure:

Type of experiment

Answer 2

Lab experiment, matched pairs design

Question 3

Procedure:

Sample size

Answer 3

36 boys, 36 girls

Question 4

Procedure:

DV

Answer 4

Level of aggression the children displayed

Question 5

Procedure:

IV

Answer 5

• Modelling of agression
• sex of role model
• observer

Question 6

Procedure:

How were the groups paired

Answer 6

Paired by aggressiveness of the children, determined before experiment

Question 7

Procedure:

What were the 3 conditions th children were put in

Answer 7

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)

Question 8

Procedure:

What was the process children went through in this experiment

Answer 8

1. children brought into room and either observed the aggressive role model or passive role model
2. Children then deliberaty frustrated by showing new shiny toys to them and being told they were for other children
3. Children taken to play room and allowed to play with toys. Behaviour was observed by male-model. “nd observer present for inter-rated reliability

Question 9

Findings:

Agressive role model group

Answer 9

more likely to completely or partially imitate the aggression shown by role model

Question 10

Findings:

Non aggressive and control group

Answer 10

Displayed much less aggression, in fact about 70% of people displayed no aggresive behaviours.

Question 11

Findings:

Gender differences of aggression

Answer 11

Male children displayed more psysical aggression whereas female children showed more verbal aggression.

Question 12

Conclusion

Answer 12

Social behaviours like aggression can be acquired through imitation of role models. Imitation is more likely when role model is same gender as observer

Question 13

Strength of internal validity of the study

Answer 13

Design of the experiment had clever features to reduce the amount of extraneous variables.

Question 14

Strength of internal validity of the study:

Example of features that reduced extraneous variables

Answer 14

Children matched in the conditions were paired based off aggression levels. This reduced the chances of individual differences affecting aggression

Question 15

Strength of internal validity of the study:

Why are these control variables a strength

Answer 15

We are reasonably sure the observed aggression was due to imitation of the aggressive role model

Question 16

Weakness of the external validity of the experiment

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Weakness of the external validity of the experiment:

Why does this mean it lacks external validity

Answer 17

we cannot be sure on how much the results can be generalised to real life scenarios

Question 18

Strength of the application of the study

Answer 18

Can explain how children gather aggressive behaviour from adult role models like parents.

Question 19

Strength of the application of the study:

Example of how this can be applied

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Strength of application of the study:

Why is this a strength to application

Answer 20

Can shape our thought into the risks of when we expose children to violent adults

Question 21

Weakness of the ethics

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Weakness of the ethics:

what did these ethical issues mean for the study

Answer 22

there were arguements that the procedure should not have been carried out