Bandura 1961 Flashcards
What was the aim of the study
To investigate whether social behaviours (e.g aggression) can be learned through imitation and observation
What was the sample
36 boys and 36 girls from the Stanford University Nursery School aged between 3-6 years old
What participant design was used
A matched pairs design
The researchers pre tested the children for how aggressive they behaved by observing them judging the aggressive nature on a 5 point rating scale
The children were matched in each group according to similar levels of aggression in their everyday behaviour
How did they test for reliability
51/72 of the children were rated by two observers independently, with their ratings being compared.
The ratings showed a high reliability correlation (r=0.89), suggesting that the observers agreed about the behaviour of the children
What is the IV
The IV used was the type of model displayed to the children
. Aggressive model is shown to 24 children
. Non aggressive model is shown to 24 children
. No model is shown to 24 children
(control condition)
In both the Aggressive and Non Aggressive model condition, a male and female were shown to 6 boys and 6 girls
How were the models presented
In both experimental groups, the children were shown into a toy filled room with pictures for 10 minutes
. 24 children (12 boys 12 girls) watched a male or female model act aggressive towards a Bobo doll. The adults attacked the doll using a pretend hammer and sometimes throwing it whilst shouting “POW” or “boom”
. Whereas the other 24 children (12 boys 12 girls) witnessed a non aggressive model, playing quietly for 10 minutes, they played with other toys and ignored the bobo doll
. The control group were not exposed to any model
How was the behaviour of the children post-model monitored
The next room contained aggressive and non aggressive toys
NA toys:
Tea set, Crayons, Three Bears, Plastic Animals
AG toys:
Mallet, Peg Board, Darts Guns, Bobo Doll
The children were in these rooms for 20 minutes, with their behaviour being observed and rated through a one way mirror. Each observation was made every 5 seconds, giving each child 240 different response units
Other aggressive behaviours that were not imitated by the model were also recorded e.g punching the doll on the nose
What were the main takeaways from the results
. Children who observed the aggressive model imitated for more aggressive responses compared to both the other groups
. The girls in the aggressive model also showed more aggressive responses with a male model, however, more verbally aggressive with a female model. Effects of genders were reversed when observing how often they punched the bobo doll
.Boys were more likely to imitate same sex models, however, girls did not exhibit this as often
. Boys imitated more aggressive acts than girls. However little difference was shown in verbal aggression between boys and girls
What is a simplified conclusion to the study
The study demonstrates that children are able to learn social behaviours like aggression through observing others, especially so when observing a member of the same sex
