bandura's research

aim of research

to investigate effect of:

• observed aggression on children’s behaviour

• same-sex modelling on children’s aggressive behaviour

sample

• 72 children aged 37-69 months
  -36 girls
  -36 boys

procedure:

• adult male/ female model observed per condition with Bobo doll

3 conditions:

• aggressive model: used pre-determined, standardised aggressive behaviours

• non-aggressive: acted calmly

• control group: no model

detailed procedure:

• child observed behaviour of model for 10 mins

• child taken to diff. room w/ new toys → told they couldn’t play with toys } aggression arousal phase to ensure baseline

• child taken to new room w/ aggressive + non-aggressive toys

• child observed for 20 mins w/ one-way mirror

findings

• children who observed aggressive behaviour more likely to be aggressive
  -boys more physically
  -girls more verbally

conclusion

• aggression can be learnt via mechanisms of SLT

• imitation of aggression can occur after single exposure

• aggression may be observed in 1 setting + imitated in another