bandura

• What was the aim?


  To investigate if aggression in children can be learned through imitation.

  Also to test if boys and girls will imitate their same-sex models more.

  Also to test if boys were more predisposed to aggression
• What was the sample?


  Opportunity sample

  72 children (36 boys, 36 girls)

  All at the University Nursery of Stanford

  No consent from parents or children
• What was the method?


  Controlled observation

  Using a matched pairs design in a controlled setting (ppnts matched on existing levels of aggression)

  Covert observation (through the use of a one-way mirror)

  Time sampling was used

  3 conditions- aggressive model, non-aggressive model and no model
• What was the procedure?


  All children brought into a room to play for 10 mins

  In the aggressive condition this was whilst the model attempted to assemble the tinker toy set and after 1 minute gave up and started verbally and physically abusing the Bobo doll for the rest of the time

  Verbal abuse was: "sock it in the nose", "throw him in the air", "Pow"

  Physical abuse was: repeatedly punching it in the nose, striking it over the head with a mallet

  
  

  In the non-aggressive condition the model quietly assembled the tinker toy set, ignoring the Bobo doll

  
  

  After this all children were brought into a second room for aggression arousal

  They were told they could play with these attractive toys but after 2 mins the experimenter told them they couldn't anymore as they were reserved for other children

  
  

  After this the children were brought into a third room and observed for 5 mins whilst the observer recorded imitation,
• What were the results?


  Children in the aggressive condition imitated aggressive behaviour more than those in other conditions

  Boys imitated the male model more than the female model

  The male model had more of an influence on behaviour than the female model

  Boys imitated physical aggression more than girls
• What were the conclusions?


  Children will imitate aggressive/ non-aggressive behaviour even if the adult model is not present

  Children can learn behaviour through observation and imitation

  Boys and girls will learn aggression from their same-sex adult model