Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment Flashcards

Study Notes

Aim of the Experiment

Investigated the impact of exposure to aggression on children's behavior.
Explored whether boys were more likely to imitate aggressive behaviors compared to girls.

Procedure

Sample included 72 children aged 3 to 6 years.
Participants divided into three groups: control, aggressive model, and non-aggressive model.
Further divided by same-sex and opposite-sex model exposure.
Groups matched for initial levels of aggression.
In the aggressive condition, children observed the model acting aggressively towards toys.
Following observation, children were taken into a room with both aggressive and non-aggressive toys; their play behavior was scored.
Employed a single-blind technique with two observers for data collection.

Results

Boys exhibited higher levels of aggression across all groups.
Boys were significantly more verbally and physically aggressive after viewing the aggressive model than girls.
Greater likelihood of imitation was observed when the model was of the same sex as the child.

Conclusions

Exposure to aggressive behaviors increases the likelihood of children acting aggressively.

Generalisability

Findings cannot be generalized to adults due to the sample consisting solely of children.
Participants came from the same university nursery, limiting representation of the wider child population.

Reliability

Experiment demonstrated high reliability through the use of two observers and a single-blind technique.
Repeated measures design and well-documented procedures enhance repeatability.

Application

Research suggests that minimizing children's exposure to aggressive behaviors may inform censorship policies.

Validity

Combines repeated measures and matched groups allowing for cause and effect conclusions.
Demonstrated ecological validity by simulating a nursery environment, promoting natural behavior.
However, the Bobo doll's design may lead children to believe hitting it is a normative play behavior.

Ethics

Concern regarding potential teaching of aggressive behavior to children during experimentation.

Description

Test your knowledge on Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment with these flashcards. Explore the aims, procedures, and implications of this pivotal study in psychology. Perfect for students looking to understand the impact of aggression on behavior.