Bandura Study (FLASHCARDS)

Aim

To investigate whether children learn aggression through observation and imitation of adult models, and whether gender plays a role in imitation

Procedure

Observation Phase: Children were divided into groups and exposed to different models

• Aggressive model: An adult physically and verbally attacked the Bobo doll

• Non-aggressive model: An adult played gently with the Bobo doll

• Control group: No model was present

Imitation Phase

• After observing the model, the children were placed in a room with the Bobo doll and other toys. Their behavior was observed and recorded to see if they imitated the actions they had witnessed

Results

• Children who observed the aggressive model showed significantly more aggression towards the Bobo doll than those who observed the non-aggressive model or the control group

• Boys were more likely to imitate aggression, especially when the model was male, suggesting a potential role of identification with the model

• Children also imitated aggressive behaviors even when the model’s aggression was not followed by a reward or punishment, further supporting the idea that learning can occur through observation alone

Conclusion

• Concluded that children can learn aggression through observing and imitating adult models, emphasizing the importance of role models in shaping behavior

• Supported the social cognitive theory