Bandura et al. (1961): Social Cognitive Theory (Bashing Bobo Study)

What was the aim of Bandura's study?

To investigate whether children could learn aggressive behavior by observing adults.

What theory does the study support?

Social cognitive theory.

What type of reinforcement is emphasized in social cognitive theory?

Vicarious reinforcement.

What experimental design was used in the study?

Matched pairs design.

How was aggression pre-tested in participants?

Using a 5-point scale based on physical, verbal, and object aggression.

What was the inter-rater reliability of the aggression pre-test?

0.89.

How many major conditions were there in the study?

Three.

Name the three major conditions in the study.

Control group, aggressive model group, non-aggressive model group.

How were participants further subdivided?

By gender and by whether their model was male or female.

How many experimental conditions were there in total?

Eight.

What behavior did the model display in the aggressive condition?

Acted violently toward a Bobo doll.

What behavior did the model display in the non-aggressive condition?

Played quietly with blocks.

What was the purpose of the "mild aggression arousal" stage?

To frustrate the children by taking away attractive toys.

What types of toys were in the room during Stage 3?

Aggressive toys and non-aggressive toys.

How long were children observed in Stage 3?

20 minutes.

What sampling technique was used in the study?

Purposive sampling.

How many children participated in the study?

72 children.

What was the mean age of the participants?

52 months.

What was a key finding about gender differences in aggression?

Boys displayed more aggressive behavior than girls.

What ethical concern is raised by Bandura's study?

Exposing children to aggression could cause undue stress or long-term effects.