Bandura, Ross, and Ross Study (socio, development)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To see if children would imitate aggression modeled by an adult and is children were more likely to imitate
same-sex models

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

• Children aged 3 to 6 years were divided into three groups
  1. Exposed to adult models who showed aggression by either bashing an inflatable “bobo” doll or using
  verbal aggression towards the bobo (used unique words and methods
  2. Observed a non-aggressive adult who assembles toys
  3. No model
• Some children watcher same-sex models and some watched opposite-sex models
• After watching models, children were placed in a room with toys, soon after, they were taken out of the room,
  being told that those toys were for other children, and then pour into the room with bobo doll
• Children were observe behind a one-way mirror and their behaviors were recorded

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

• Children who had observed aggressive models were significantly more aggressive (physically, verbally)
• Children showed clear signs of observational learning, supporting social cognitive theory
• Girls more likely to imitate verbal aggression, whereas boys more likely to imitate physical aggression
• When boys observed women bashing bobo dolls, they often made comments like “Ladies shouldn’t do that!”
• Children were more likely to imitate the same-sex adult

Question 4

Strengths

Answer 4

• “Stratified” groups according to aggression
  (ratings given by daycare provider and groups
  aggressive children distributed between all three
  groups)

Question 5

Limitations

Answer 5

• Ecological validity (no relationship with model -
  limits “motivations” in SCT, lab setting)
• Internal validity (does aggression towards the
  bobo doll have any correlation to aggression in a
  natural setting)
• External validity (age and cultural)

Question 6

Ethical Considerations

Answer 6

• Informed consent (required from parent for
  children to participate)
• Protection from harm (intentionally frustrating
  the children, exposing children to violence)
• Deception (one-way mirror)

Question 7

Research Methods

Answer 7

• Experiment