Bandura

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

• How behaviour develops over time
• Childhood/ child development
• Social Learning theory- observing and imitating
• model for behaviour known as modelling

Question 2

🔍 Aim:

Answer 2

To see if children learn aggression by watching someone else (a model).
To test if they are more likely to copy a same-sex model.
To see if boys or girls are more aggressive.

Question 3

Research Method

Answer 3

Laboratory experiment

Question 4

Design

Answer 4

Matched pairs design (based on children’s pre-existing aggression levels).

Question 5

IVs

Answer 5

1) Model Type: Aggressive / Non-aggressive / No model (control)

2) Model Gender: Same / Opposite sex

3) Child Gender: Boy / Girl

Question 6

DV

Answer 6

Number of aggressive behaviours displayed by the child.

Question 7

👦👧 Sample:

Answer 7

1) 72 children (36 boys/ girls)
2) Aged 3-6
3)Stanford University Nursery School

Question 8

📋 Procedure (3 Stages):

Answer 8

Model Stage:
Watch adult play with Bobo doll:
Aggressive = hits, shouts at doll
Non-aggressive = plays calmly
Control = no model

Aggression Arousal:
Kids told they can’t play with cool toys → frustration

Test Stage:
Kids play with toys (including a Bobo doll).
Observed through one-way mirror for 20 mins.
Aggression recorded.

Question 9

📊 Results:

Answer 9

-Kids copied aggressive behaviour if they saw it.

-Boys were more physically aggressive.

-Kids copied same-sex models more.

Question 10

✅ Conclusions:

Answer 10

-Aggression can be learned by watching others (supports Social Learning Theory).

-Role models are important, especially same-sex ones.

-Environment shapes behaviour.

Question 11

👍 Strengths:

Answer 11

Controlled lab setting = high internal validity.

Use of standardised procedure (e.g., same model actions).

Inter-rater reliability = behaviour measured objectively.

Matched pairs reduced participant variables (e.g., baseline aggression).

Question 12

❌ Weaknesses:

Answer 12

Low ecological validity – artificial setting, unfamiliar tasks (e.g., Bobo doll).

Ethical concerns – exposure to aggression, possible long-term effects.

Sample bias – only American nursery children = limited generalisability.

May reflect demand characteristics – children may think aggression was expected.

Question 13

Social Area

Answer 13

behaviour is learned from others

Question 14

Nurture

Answer 14

environment affects aggression

Question 15

Determinism

Answer 15

behaviour shaped by what we see

Question 16

Ethical concerns

Answer 16

risk of harm

Question 17

🔁 Compare with:

Answer 17

Chaney et al. – also looked at learning (positive reinforcement vs. observation)