Bandura et al (1961)

Aim

To see if learning that took place in one situation would be generalised to other situations.

Hypotheses

1. Children shown aggressive models will show significantly more imitative aggressive acts resembling those of their models than those shown non-aggressive or no models.
2. Children shown non-aggressive models subdued models will show significantly less aggressive behaviour than those shown aggressive or no models.
3. Boys will show significantly more imitative aggression than girls.
4. Children will imitate same-sex models behaviour to a greater degree.

Research method

Lab experiment - observation (could argue field)

Sample

• 72 children
• mean age 52 months
• 24 in each condition
• 6 in each experimental group

experimental conditions

1. Aggressive role model
2. Non-aggressive model
3. No model

Independent variables

1. Whether the child witnessed an aggressive or a non-aggressive model in the first experiment.
2. Sex of the model
3. Sex of the child

dependent variable

The behavioural responses of the children. They were rated on four 5-point rating scales by the experimenter and a nursery teacher. Children were previously matched for aggression.

Stage 1 - Experimental Room

• 10 mins in room
• aggressive toy: potato prints, picture stickers, mallet, bobo doll
• non-aggressive toy: potato prints, picture stickers, tea set, tinker toy set, bobo doll
• aggressive behaviour: physically and verbally aggressing bobo doll using standardised procedures
• non-aggressive behaviour: assembled tinker toys quietly and ignored the bobo doll
• control group did not take part

Stage 2 - Mild Aggression Arousal

• 2 mins in room
• toys: initially allowed to play with some very attractive toys e.g. fire engine
• however they were told that these toys w re reserved for the other children but they could play with any of the toys in the next room
• ensured they had similar levels of aggression

Stage 3 - Test for Delayed Imitation

• aggressive toys: bobo doll, mallet, dart gun
• non-aggressive toys: tea set, cars, dolls
• 2 experimenters observed behind a one-way mirror every 5 seconds
• 240 total observations

3 measures of imitation

1. Imitation of physical aggression
2. Imitation of verbal aggression
3. Imitative non-aggressive verbal

Results

1. Children who observed the aggressive model made far more imitative aggressive responses
2. There was more partial and non-imitative aggression among the children who observed aggressive behaviour
3. Children who observed the non-aggressive models or no models showed fewer aggressive acts
4. Boys were more likely to imitate same-sex models
5. Boys imitated more physical aggression than girls. Little difference in verbal aggression

Strengths

• high control e.g. identical model behaviour
• big sample
• quantitative data
• practical applications
• internal validity

Weaknesses

• rating of pre-existing aggression may be inaccurate
• only 6 in each experimental condition
• no qualitative data
• some children were distressed
• no formal consent
• low ecological validity