Bandura (evaluation)

Question 1

Was Bandura’s study generalisable?

Answer 1

Yes✅:

• Large sample in all 3 studies: 72, 96, 66.
  
  • Means anomalies, e.g. disturbed children, might be cancelled out.

No❌:

• Samples were all taken from the same nursery, which were students from Stanford University (one of the world’s best universities).
  
  • These children may have unusual home lives and particularly educated parents, making them less representative of ‘normal’ children.

Question 2

Was Bandura’s study Reliable?

Answer 2

Yes✅:

• Can be easily replicable as it had a standardised procedure - as he did in 1963a and 1965. He used the same script, checklist categories, etc).
• Had 2 observers behind a one way mirror in observer room. This creates inter-rater reliability because a behaviour had to be noted by both observers otherwise it didn’t count.
• Filmed the 1963 study, which can be watched by anyone.
  
  • Adds inter-rater reliability.

Question 3

Was Bandura’s study ethical?