Bandura et al (1961) conducted a study to find out whether children learn aggression by imitating adult models and if they are more likely to learn from same-sex models
Study participants
60 boys and girls aged 3 to 6
Experimental groups
Aggressive model
Non-aggressive model
Aggressive model
Attacked a Bobo doll physically and verbally for 1 minute
Non-aggressive model
Played with Tinker toys for 10 minutes
Procedure
1. Children were deliberately annoyed
2. Taken to a room with a one-way mirror
3. Observed for 20 minutes
Children who saw aggressive models
Imitated them, showing more physical and verbal aggression than those watching non-aggressive models
Boys
More likely to imitate a male model
Girls
More likely to imitate a female model
Bandura et al concluded that observing aggression without reinforcement results in imitative learning, especially for same-sex models
Questionnaire
An alternative method to collect data, by assessing participants' views of the model's behaviour
Advantages of using a questionnaire
Allows assessment of participants' views and perceptions
Potentially less resource-intensive than observational methods
Disadvantages of using a questionnaire
May not capture actual behavioural imitation
Potential issues with self-report data (e.g. social desirability bias)
Questionnaire-based study would need to consider methodological and ethical factors, such as validity, reliability, and participant privacy/consent
