SLT

• SLT:

  Observation, imitation, modelling, model, live model, symbolic model, vicarious reinforcement, rewards, mediational process, attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation.
• Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment (1961) was a lab experiment using 72 children (36 girls, 36 boys) who were placed into one of three conditions: aggressive model, non-aggressive model, control group.
• The procedure of the Bobo doll experiment occurred in 3 stages: modelling, mild aggression arousal, and delayed imitation.
• In the first stage of the Bobo doll experiment, known as modelling, children observed the model interact with the bobo doll, in the aggressive model condition they were verbally and physically aggressive to the doll.
• The second stage of the Bobo doll experiment, mild aggression arousal, involved children entering the room and as they went to play with the toys/bobo doll, the researcher walked in and told them that the toys were reserved for someone else.
• The third stage of the Bobo doll experiment, delayed imitation, involved the children being left alone to see how they would act or model behaviours.
• The Bobo doll experiment found that in the aggressive condition, more children modelled the behaviour.
• Boys were more aggressive, boys imitated males more, girls who had girl models became more verbally aggressive, and girls who had male models became more physically aggressive.
• Comprehensive/more holistic – the theory applies concepts of behaviourism and combines them with cognitive psychology which makes it more comprehensive, less reductionist.
• Practical-real world applications – Bandura’s study showed the impact of violence which allows us to reduce violence on TV to make children less aggressive.
• Over-reliance on lab studies – Bandura’s methods of observing aggressive imitation are artificial and not reflective of real-life.
• A naturalistic observation could be more suitable.
• Ignores biology/nature – when analysing aggression, the role of testosterone is widely acknowledged however this is not factored into Bandura’s research.