Bandura (1961,63,65)

• Aim (1961)

  To see whether aggressive behaviour could be acquired through observation of aggressive role models. And if more likely to aggress having observed aggression. Does same-sex role models make a diff
• Procedure 1 (1961)

  Lab exp w matched pairs design. 36 boys and 36 girls aged 3-6 selected from Stanford Uni nursery in California

  DV - level of aggression

  IV - modelling of aggression, same-sex model or not

  Aggressive controlled by having same level in each group (pre-determined beforehand by experimenter who knew children well and one of their teachers)

  Children placed in 3s (3 boys/3 girls) and randomly allocated to aggression, non-aggression or control
• Procedure 2 (1961)


  Step 1 - children brought into room w observation window & allowed to play w toys. shown aggressive or non aggressive role model

  Step 2 - taken to another room & shown new toys but told these were for other kids - frustrate them

  Step 3 - taken to playroom w toys including Bobo and observed through one way mirror
• Behaviours (1961)

  imitative aggression - eg "pow" or sitting on Bobo (actions of model)

  partially imitative - using mallet on toys other than Bobo

  non-imitative - punching Bobo or saying hostile things model didn't say
• Findings (1961)

  Children who witnessed aggressive model were likely to completely or partially imitate. Children who hadn't displayed less aggression (70% showed none). Boys more likely to imitate same-sex model and overall more likely to imitate physical aggression
• Conclusion (1961)

  Social behaviours like aggression can be acquired through imitation of role models. More likely when modelled behaviour ie gender typical and when model and observer are same gender
• Aim (1963)

  To compare imitative behaviours when children watch an aggressive model in the same room as them, on film and using a cartoon character
• Procedure (1963)

  48 boys and 48 girls - one nursery in USA aged 3-6

  3 experimental conditions (real life aggressive model, model on film, cartoon model) and a control group of 24 children who saw no aggression (as in '61)

  Half saw same-sex models and half saw opposite sex

  Observed for imitative or non-imitative behaviour
• Results (1963)

  All 3 experimental groups showed sig more aggression than the control group. Mean aggression scores:

  real life - 8.3, film - 9.2, cartoon - 9.9, control - 5.4
• Conclusion (1963)

  Exposure to violent human and cartoon models on film heightens aggression in children
• Aim (1965)

  To consider whether reinforcement and punishment of an aggressive model would influence the aggression displayed by observers (children) in response to frustration
• Procedure (1965)

  Same but w 33 boys & 33 girls aged 3-6 from same nursery as before.

  IV = observed consequence for model

  DV = aggression in children

  Random allocation to 3 conditions - all involve watching adult aggression to Bobo doll.

  Model rewarded (praised), model punished (hit w rolled up newspaper), model receives no consequence

  Later, all 3 groups offered rewards to aggress to Bobo (juice and stickers). 10 mins in playroom
• Findings (1965)

  Children in model punished group were sig less aggressive than other groups. Introducing rewards wiped out diffs (sticker/ juice for each imitated verbal or physical behaviour) and sig increased scores for all groups
• Conclusion (1965)

  Vicarious punishment reduces imitated aggression but reinforcement is a more powerful influence on aggression
• '61, '63 and '65 strengths

  Lab exp w good controls so replicable and can be tested for reliability (61 - same script, 63 - same cartoon/film, 65 - same reward)

  More than one observer - avoid bias

  P's of equal gender - no androcentric bias
• '61, '63 and '65 weaknesses

  Lab exp so lacks ecological validity

  Demand characteristics - may have thought were supposed to be violent - not real aggression - "look mummy, there's the doll we have to hit"

  Children's behaviour may not be representative of adults
• 61 applications

  Psychologists and social workers have better understanding of risks to childrens development by violent parents

  Study suggests that boys more at risk of imitating physical aggression modelled by adult males (like fathers) - has implications on policy around custody and parental contact the fathers have a history of violence
• 63 & 65 applications

  Watershed - restricting content on TV children are exposed to at certain times of the day

  Sabido method - Bandura and Sabido pioneered the use of telenovelas to tackle social problems. Children identify w popular characters who become role models.

  Research shows they have been highly effective in prompting behavioural change eg taking up literacy classes