Bandura 1963 Bobo doll experiment in TV with cartoon cat variation

What was Bandura's aim?

To investigate whether a filmed model would have the same effect as a live model on children's aggression

What was the secondary aim?

To investigate whether cartoon aggression would have a similar impact to realistic filmed aggression

How many boys and girls from the Stanford University Nursery were used and how old were they?

48 boys and 48 girls aged between 39 and 52 months

What was the independent variable?

The model (live, filmed or cartoon)

What was the dependent variable?

The level of aggression the children displayed

What was the live aggression condition?

Watched an adult aggress towards a Bobo doll

What was the filmed realistic aggression condition?

Watched the same behaviour on a screen

What was the cartoon aggression condition?

Watched on a TV a model dressed as a black cartoon cat perform the same aggressive behaviours as in the other conditions

What was the control group?

did not watch aggression

What happened afterwards?

The children were frustrated then observed in a playroom

What were the findings?

Significant difference from the control condition where mean aggression was 54

What was the total aggressive acts in the live, filmed realistic and cartoon conditions?

83, 92, 99

What was concluded?

Exposure to live or filmed aggression increased the likelihood of aggression in response to frustration, even if the aggression is modelled by a cartoon figure

What is the application of this study?

Bandura and Sabido pioneered the use of telenovelas to tackle specific social problems in countries all over the world

Explain the Sabido method.

Viewers identify with popular characters who become role models which has been highly effective in promoting behavioural change, e.g. Increasing contraception use or the take up of literacy classes