Bandura

Bandura

1. Aim

   • To demonstrate that if children were witnesses to aggressive behaviour, they would be more likely to demonstrate aggressive behaviour

2. Hypotheses

   • Children exposed to aggressive models will reproduce aggressive acts resembling those of the models
   • Children exposed to non aggressive models will demonstrate less aggressive behaviour
   • Children will be more likely to imitate the behaviour of a model who is of the same sex to them
   • Boys will illustrate more aggressive behaviour than girls

3. Method

   • WHO: 36 Boys & 36 Girls aged between 37-69 months
     • Matched pairs design as the children were all matched based on their level of aggression using four 5-point rating scales
       • Rating scales
         • Physical aggression
         • Verbal aggression
         • Aggression to objects
         • Aggression inhibition
   • WHAT: Laboratory experiment, 3 major conditions-control group, group exposed to aggressive model & group exposed to passive model
   • Conditions
     • Aggressive condition: 24 participants observing an adult being aggressive to a bobo doll
     • Non aggressive: 24 children observing adult playing and ignoring a bobo doll
     • Control group: 24 children
   • Stage 1: Children brought into experiment room by experimenter, model is invited to join in the game, one specific corner is arranged as the child's play area. Adult model escorted to other side of the room where there is a mallet and bobo doll, experimenter leaves room
     • NAG condition, model ignores Bobo doll and assembles other toys in a quiet way
     • AG condition, Model also began assembling tinker toys but then begins to be aggressive to the bobo doll in a distinct way
       • Example of physical aggression: "raised the bobo doll and pommelled it on the head with the mallet"
       • Example of verbal aggression: "Pow" and "sock him in the nose"
   • Stage 2: Child subjected to 'mild aggression arousal' this was done by briefly letting the child play with some toys, but then they were then told that the toys were being reserved for the very best kids