Bandura et al (aggression)

model

a person who encourages others to imitate positive or negative behaviours

social learning

the learning of a new behaviour that is observed in a role model and imitated later in the absence of that model.

aggression

behaviour aimed at harming others physically or psychologically

What was the aim of the study?

To investigate whether a child would learn aggressive behaviours after observing an adult model and imitate in the absence of that model.

Test these hypotheses:

• observed aggressive and non-aggressive behaviours will be imitated

• children are more likely to copy a same-sex model

  • boys are more likely to copy aggression than girls

What was the sample?

72 children (36 boys, 36 girls), 3-6 years old, Stanford University nursery school

opportunity sampling

IVs and DVs

IVs:

• model type (aggressive/non-aggressive)

• model sex (same as child/different from child)

• learner sex (boy/girl)

DVs:

• behaviour of the child, measured through controlled observation

What was the research method?

laboratory experiment, not the normal place where children play and the situation was controlled

What was the research design?

independent measures, different children were used in each level of the IVs, but also used matched pairs design according to the children’s aggressiveness before the experiment as observed in their nursery

What observation technique was used?

covert, non-participant observation, as a one-way mirror was used to observe the children in the experimental room

What were the findings?

• Children exposed to aggressive models imitated their exact behaviours and were significantly more aggressive, physically and verbally, compared to the other two groups

• One third of the aggressive model group also imitated non-aggressive verbal responses, but not the other two groups

• Boys imitated physical aggression more than girls from a male model, girls imitated verbal aggression more than boys from a female model

• Non-aggressive group children were much less likely to exhibit mallet aggression compared to the other two groups

• Aggressive model group also led to non-imitative aggressive behaviours

• Girls played with dolls, tea sets, and colouring more, boys engaged in more exploratory play and gun play

• All four hypotheses were supported