AICE Psychology: Bandura Study Terms & Definitions

Year

1961

Approach

Learning

Aim(2)

-to investigate whether a child would learn aggression by observing a model and would reproduce this behavior in the absence of the model

-whether the sex of the role model was important.

Research Method

Lab experiment

Design(2)

-Independent measures

-Matched participants

IV(3)

-model-type

-model-gender

-child-gender

DV(1)

The behavior the child displayed

Sample type

Opportunity sample

How many children in sample and gender

72 children, 36 boys and 36 girls

Age range

3-6 years

Where was the sample from

Stanford University nursery

Who observed the children when organizing the groups

An experimenter and a teacher who knew them

How were the kids rated(name the four)

4 five point scales measuring:

-physical aggression

-verbal aggression

-aggression to inanimate objects

-anxiety

What was notable about the two observers ratings on the kids(what is this called)

They were similar creating inter-rater reliability

What were the three groups that had their aggression levels matched(how many kids in each)

24 each with:

-aggressive models

-non-aggressive models

-no model(control group)

How were the groups further divided

The experimental groups were divided in half. One viewing a female model and the other viewing a male model.

Where did the model sit

On the opposite corner of the room to the kids

What were the things in the opposite corner with the model(5)

-table

-chair

-Tinkertoy set

-mallet

-5 foot Bobo doll

What was the experimenter doing while the model began

Appeared to be working quietly at their desk

What did the non-aggressive model do

Assemble Tinkertoy set for 10 minutes

What did the aggressive model do

Assembled Tinkertoy for a minute and then attacked the Bobo doll.

How long was the aggressive model attacking the Bobo doll and how many times did they repeat the sequence

9 minutes, repeated 3 times

What was an aggressive comment made by a child while the aggressive model attacked the Bobo doll

"Kick him."

What happened in the control condition

The children did not see any model

After the model left what were children told

That they could play with the toys

After 2 minutes of playing with the toys what happened

The experimenter told them to stop because the toys were the very best and reserved for other children.

How long was the child observed for and through what

20 minutes through a one way mirror.

What were the intervals the researchers observed the child's behavior in

5 second intervals

What was the inter-rater reliability score

0.89

What were the three categories of imitation observed

-Imitation of physical aggression

-Imitative verbal aggression

-Imitative non-aggressive verbal responses

What were the imitations of physical aggression observed(4)

-Hitting the bobo doll with mallet

-Sitting on the bobo doll and punching it on the nose

-Kicking the bobo doll

-Tossing the bobo doll into the air

What were the imitative verbal aggressions observed(5)

-'Sock him in the nose'

-'Hit him down'

-'Throw him in the air'

-'Kick him'

-'pow'

What were the imitative non-aggressive verbal responses observed(2)

-'He keeps coming back for more'

-'He sure is a tough fella'

Children exposed to aggressive models were:

Significantly more aggressive

Who had higher imitation girls or boys

Boys

Who imitated physical aggression more

Boys

Who imitated verbal aggression more

girls

What was the average imitative physical aggression for male and female subjects with male models

Male: 25.8

Female: 7.2

What was the average imitative physical aggression for male and female subjects with female models

Male: 12.4

Female: 5.5

In non-aggressive play what did the children play with

Boys: guns

Girls: dolls

What can observing an aggressive model lead to

Imitative aggression

Who is more likely to imitate same sex models

Boys

What gender model is more likely to me imitated

Male

Generalizability strength(1)

-Use of both boys and girls

Generalizability weakness(2)

-Limited age range

-Sample from one middle to high-class U.S. nursery

Reliability strength(3)

-Lab setting

-Model behavior was standardized

-High inter-rater reliability

Applicability strength(1)

Shows that one should be careful with behavior displayed in front of children.

Applicability weakness(1)

-The children were aggressive towards a bobo doll, which is supposed to be hit/punch. Thus, behavior can be distinct in other circumstance.

Validity strength(1)

Children were unaware they were watched(low demand characteristics)

Validity weakness(1)

Low ecological validity

Ethics strength(1)

No physical harm towards children

Ethics weakness(4)

-No parental consent (which in accordance to guidelines should be obtained for those 16 and younger)

-Asked to witness and exhibit aggressive behavior

-Experience of distress

-Later behavioral issues in future