Bandura et al

What theory is the study based on?

Social Learning Theory

What does the Social learning theory suggest about aggressive behavior?

Aggressive behaviours are learned through reinforcement by observing and imitating a person's role model.

What were the four hypotheses?

1. Exposed to aggressive model = imitate more aggressive acts

2. Observing non-aggressive model = less aggressive acts.

3. Boys = more aggression than girls.

4. Children imitate same-sex models more.

How many participants were there?

36 girls & 36 boys.

How old were the participant?

Between 37-69 months old.

Where did the study take place?

Stanford University nursery

What happened in stage 1?

1. Children taken into first room to play with toys.
2. Model invited to join in.
3. Child taken to table with 'high-interest' toys.
4. Model goes to table with other toys (e.g. tinker toys & bobo doll).
5. Child told that these toys belong to the model.
6. Experimenter leaves model & child alone.
7. In non-aggressive condition = model played ignored bobo doll. BUT, in aggressive condition = model abused bobo doll.

What was the aim of Stage 2?

To give the children time to achieve aggressive arousal. If aggression is witnessed, it tends to reduce immediate aggression.

What happened in Stage 2?

1. Experimenter took child into smaller room and presented them with attractive toys (spinning top, pram etc.)

2. After child had settled playing, the experimenter then told the child they couldn't play with the toys & they belonged to the 'good children' But, there were toys in the next room that the child could play with.

What was the aim of Stage 3?

To test for delayed imitation.

What happened in Stage 3?

1. Child taken to 3rd room where a range of toys were set out (toys from 1st room plus aggressive toys).

2. Child played for 20 minutes.

How did the researcher record their findings?

Experimenter observed through a one-way-mirror in the third room & took notes every 5 seconds of the child's behavior.

What were the 5 measures of imitation (measured by the researcher)?

1. Imitation of physical aggression.
2. Imitation of verbal aggression.
3. Measures of partial imitation.
4. Non-imitative aggression.
5. Non-aggressive measures.

What were the results of the study?

1. Children who observed the aggressive model = more imitative aggressive responses.

2. More partial and non-imitative aggression among those who observed aggressive behaviour.

3. Boys were more likely to imitate same-sex models.

4. Boys imitated more physically aggressive acts than girls. There was little difference in the verbal aggression between boys and girls.

What was concluded from the study?

The findings support Bandura's (1977) Social Learning Theory = children learn social behavior, such as aggression, through the process of observation learning.
This study has important implications for the effects of media violence on children.

What were the advantages of the experiment?

1. Experiments easily establish cause and effect, so, it could be demonstrated that the model did have an effect on the child's behaviour.
2. It allows for precise control of variables (e.g. gender of the model, the time the children observed the model, the behavior of the model etc.)
3. Experiments can be replicated to see if similar results can be found (to test for reliability).

What were the disadvantages of the experiment?

1. Low ecological validity = children wouldn't normally observe a model in that way (e.g. in the home).

2. Cumberbatch found that children who hadn't played with a Bobo Doll before were five times as likely to imitate the aggressive behaviour = the novelty value of the doll makes it more likely that children will imitate the behaviour.

3. The demonstrations are measured almost immediately = no long-term effects.

4. Unethical = the problem of whether or not the children suffered any long-term issues