Bandura + variations

• Bandura (1961) - investigate wether aggression can be acquired through observed behaviour

  investigate is boys are prone to acquire aggressive behaviour

  see if children who observe aggressive models will be more aggressive
• Procedure (1961) matched pairs design 36 boys 36 girls aged 3-6 from Stanford uni nursery

  24 watched aggressive role model

  • punching , hitting ,hammer, threw dolls

  24 watch non aggressive role model

  • assembled mechanical toys

  24 had no role model

  after observing role model

  told toys were for other children

  taken to play room with bobo doll - covertly watched
• Findings - boys more aggressive than girls

  boys intimidate same sex role models

  girls show more PA with male rm

  Rm female - girls show VA
• Conclusion - children learn social behaviour through observational learning

  intimidate models more likely when behaviour is modelled by gender typical
• Strengths of Bandura (1961)

  • high internal validity - match pairs design - matched on aggression level, each child observed on own to remove conformity and aggression was due to role models
  • good degree of control - easily replicated for other studies
• Weaknesses of Bandura (1961)

  • low mundane realism - different from typical environments where children display aggression
  • doesn’t explain Long term aggression - only observed immediate effects of observing aggression - explains how aggressive behaviour is learnt but not maintained
• 1963 - Bandura variation

  Aim : investigate whether a filmed model would have a same effect as live model on aggression
• Procedure (1963) - 48 boys 48 girls 39-52 mounts from Stanford uni nursery

  1. watch adult be aggressive to bobo doll
  2. watch same behaviour displayed on screen
  3. watch tv model dressed as black cat and displayed aggression
  4. control group , frustrated with toys for other children
• Findings 1963 - exposure to live/ filmed aggression = increases likelihood of aggression , more if cartoon figure
• Bandura 1965 variation

  Aim - consider whether reinforcement / punishment of aggression would influence aggression displayed
• Procedure 1965 - 33 boys 33 girls 42- 71 months from Stanford uni nursery

  1. model rewarded with chocolate
  2. model punished - spanked with magazine
  3. no consequence condition
• Findings 1965 - increase aggression when reinforced

  decreased aggression when punished
• Conclusion 1965 - vicarious punishment = decreased imitated aggression