Bandura et al 1932

Learning approach

Aim

To see if children are more likely to behave aggressively after observing an aggressive model and to see if they were more liekly to imitate the same-sex model.

Procedure

Male and female children were randomly placed into one of the 3 groups. The aggression group observed an adult model behaving aggressively to a bobo doll. The non-aggressive group observed an adult constructing mechanical toys. The control group played with no model present~ then their behaviour was observed and rated.

Findings

The children who observed the model behaving aggressively were more likely to act aggressive than the other 2 groups. Boys imitated the aggressive behaviours of a male model more often than a female model.

Conclusion

Aggression is a social behaviour that can be imitated by children through observing models. Imitation is more liekly when the model is the same sex as the observer which supports the role of identification

Advantage

Can help us understand how children acquire aggressive behaviours

Disadvantage

It was carried out in a lab making it different to real-life situations