The Bobo Dolls study Bandura Ross& Ross 1961

?
View mindmap
  • The Bobo Dolls study, Bandura Ross& Ross 1961
    • AIM
      • To see weather young children will imitate behaviour they have seen, especially if that behaviour was rewarded or not.
    • METHOD
      • Lab experiment at Stanford University.
      • 8 Experimental groups in 4 conditions
      • Agressive
        • Male role model
          • 6 girls
          • 6 boys
        • Female role model
          • 6 boys
          • 6 girls
      • Non- Agressive
        • Male role model
          • 6 boys
          • 6 girls
    • PROCEDURE
      • 72 children aged 3-5 years old matched for aggression before study started
      • Some groups watched aggressive behaviour; some non- aggressive behaviour and control group wacted neither
      • Children then put into a slightly aggressive state by being told they could not play with certain toys.
      • Then behaviour observed with access to a Bobo doll and child was observed
    • RESULTS
      • Children in non-aggressive state showed almost no aggression,(70%)
      • Those that watched aggressive models showed physical and verbal aggression imitating model.
      • Male model copied more overall but boys more physically aggressive
    • CONCLUSION
      • Children watching adults behaving aggressively are more likely to imitate aggression so observational learning does take place.
      • Children also imitated non-aggressive behaviour, which led to less aggression.
      • A male adult showing aggressive behaviour is copied more than female adult aggressive model.
      • Girls are more verbally aggressive
    • EVALUATION
      • Positives
        • Controlled experiment with cause and effect conclusions
        • High reliability because of inter-rater observation by judges
        • One judge did not know which condition a child had been in so bias was reduced.
        • Practical applications of TV viewing, replicable
      • Negatives
        • Limited sample, not valid because situation was not natural
        • Children may have thought they had to hit the doll.
        • Ethical issues of children observing verbal and physical aggressive acts and repeating them.
        • How these were dealt with was not explained

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »See all study in detail resources »