Bandura's Bobo Doll study/ Bandura's research using bobo dolls & EVALUATION

When did Bandura do the Bobo Doll study?

Bandura did the Bobo Doll study in 1961

What were the steps of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?

The steps of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study=

• Procedure: children observed aggressive or nonaggressive models interacting with Bobo doll (2 groups)

• The aggressive model displayed distinctive physical and verbal aggressive acts toward the doll.

• Children were taken to a room full of attractive toys but were not allowed to play with them- frustration

• Children are then allowed to interact with the Bobo doll.

What were the findings of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?

Findings of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study=

• Children who observed the aggressive model imitated their aggression.

• Children who observed the non-aggressive model showed little aggression.

• boys exposed to male aggressive models showed more physical aggression than boys who weren’t exposed

• girls exposed to female aggressive models showed more verbal aggression than girls who weren’t exposed

What are the strengths of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls?

Strengths of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls=

• supported by research

• used a well-controlled, standardised procedure

Why is “supported by research” a strength of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls?

Supported by research is a strength of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls=

• Fox & Bailenson (2009) found evidence using CGI virtual humans engaging in physical exercise or not.

• the models look either dissimilar or similar to the ppts

• those who watched a similar model engaged in more exercise in the following 24 hrs than those who watched a dissimilar model

• support for imitation and identification with internal (focus) and external validity (accuracy)

Why is “used a well-controlled, standardised procedure” a strength of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls?

Used a well-controlled, standardised procedure a strength of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls=

• could be replicated easily

• Repeated replication of a study means that the results can be checked for consistency across time and using different samples

• observations mean that the study has good reliability

What are the weaknesses of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls?

Weaknesses of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls=

• a problem of complexity 

• (importance of identification of in social learning)

• ethical issues

Why is “a problem of complexity” a weakness of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls?

Problem of complexity is a weakness of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls=

• disregard other potential influences on behaviour

• SL theorists would emphasise the importance of gender-specific modelling

• yet a child is exposed to many different influences, which are in complex ways incl media portrayals

(Why is “importance of identication” a weakness of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls?)

Importance of identification is a weakness of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls=

• e.g. health campaigns have tried to match characters that model the desired behaviour with the target audience in terms of physical characteristics, attitudes and behaviours.

• Andsager et al. (2006) found that perceived similarity to a model in an anti-alcohol advertisement was positively related to the message’s effectiveness.

• Greater identification with the model is then expected to influence modelling behaviour so if the individual finds it difficult to identify with a given model - not effective

Why are ethical issues a weakness of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls?

Ethical issues are a weakness of Bandura’s research using bobo dolls=

• Asking nursery workers to rate children's aggression is intrusive and may have encouraged bias

• Some of the children were exposed to an aggressive adult which may have distressed them and upset the children

• The children in the aggressive condition may have gone on to use similar aggression outside of the experiment