Banduras Bobo Doll experiment

Bandura - A

To investigate whether aggressive behaviour can be learned through observation of a role model

Bandura - P

Children 3-5 years old observed an aggressive, calm and no adult “role model” interacting with the Bobo doll. Groups were observed without knowing who was in each group.
They were then left alone with the doll and their behaviour towards the doll was observed.

Bandura - R

Aggressive adult - kids acted very aggressively (both exact copying, punching, and new aggressive behaviours, toy gun)
Calm adult - played calmly with the doll
Did not see an adult - ignored or played calmly
Boys are more aggressive
More likely to copy if models gender matches the childs

Bandura - C

Children learn by observing their role models especially and imitating those they identify closely with. Outlined a gender difference and some ideas about how children view adults

Bandura - Pps

72 children
3-6 years old
Half female half male
6 children shown each condition / gender

Bandura - Strengths

Highly controlled, allowed for TV specific variations
Addressed prominent social issue, cathartic to encouragement
Quantative (aggressive acts) + qualitiative (remarks)

Bandura - Weaknesses

Artifical setting + demand characteristics
- Used kids but still
Limited sample, same school
Unethical to attempt to make kids violent
Doesnt account for biological/hormonal differences in aggression
- Bandura did check before, matched pairs