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Bandura et al. 1961 Imitation of aggressive models (Research method (Lab…
Bandura et al. 1961 Imitation of aggressive models
Background
According to Social Learning Theory aggressive behaviours are learned through reinforcement and imitation of aggressive 'models'
Previous research has shown that children will readily imitate behaviour demonstrated by an adult model if the model remains present
Research method
Lab experiment
Matched pairs
IV's - whether the child witnessed an aggressive or non-aggressive model, the sex of the model, the sex of the child
DV - the amount of imitative behaviour and aggression shown by the child (measured by the male model and sometimes a second researcher observing the child through a one way mirror)
Participants were matched through a procedure which pre-rated them for aggressiveness (physical aggression, verbal aggression and aggressive inhibition)
Each child only participated in either one of the experimental conditions
Sample
72 children from Stanford University Nursery School
36 boys and 36 girls
Aged 37-69 months
Procedure
Phase 1 - children were taken into a room and sat at a table to play with potato prints for 10 minutes whilst:
the aggressive model began assembling a toy then turned to a Bobo doll and spent the rest of the time physically and verbally abusing it
non aggressive model assembed toys in quiet subdued manner
the control group didn't participate in phase 1
Phase 2 - all the children were taken to another room and subjected to mild aggression arousal, playing with nice toys then they were taken away, can play with any of the toys in the next room
Phase 3 - Children taken to 3rd room with aggressive and non-aggressive toys, observed through one way mirror for 20 minutes whilst observers recorded behaviour in categories:
imitative behaviour
partially imitative behaviour
non-imitative behaviour
non-aggressive behaviour
Key findings
Children in the aggressive condition showed more imitation of physical and verbal aggression than children in the non-aggressive or control conditions
Children in the non-aggressive condition showed very little aggression
Boys imitated male models more than girls for physical and verbal aggression
Girls imitated female models more than boys for verbal aggression
Boy watching aggressive male scores 25.4, boy watching aggressive female scores 12.8
Conclusions
Children can learn behaviour through observation and imitation
Children will imitate aggressive/non-aggressive behaviours displayed by adult models even if the model is not present
Behaviour modelled by male adults has a greater influence on children's behaviour than behaviour modelled by female adults