Bandura’s studies (Bobo doll):
1961:
Aim- to investigate if social behaviours can be acquired by observation or
imitation (specifically aggression).
Procedure:
- 36 boys and 36 girls (from Stanford university nursery).
- Ages 3-6.
- The children were tested for how aggressive they were before the
experiment.
- Their aggression level was judged using a 5-point scale.
- The children were then matched for aggression levels that were
already present in the children.
- The experiment is matched pairs design.
- An aggressive model was shown to 24 children.
- A non aggressive model was shown to 24 children.
- No model was shown to 24 children as a control group.
Stage 1 (modelling):
- 24 children watched either. Male or female role model (adult) being
aggressive towards to bobo doll- they either hit the doll with a
hammer or just threw it around shouting words like ‘’boom’.
- The other condition the children watched either a male or female
non-aggressive role model with the bobo doll- they played around
the doll with. More calm toys such as a tea set.
- The control 24 were not exposed to a role model at all.
Stage 2 (aggression arousal):
- All of the children were taken into a room (separately) with lots of
toys and were allowed to play with them for a few minutes however
they were then told that those toys were the experimenter’s best
toys and that they were reserved for other children.
Stage 3 (test for delayed imitation):
- The children were then taken into a room with some other toys,
some aggressive and non aggressive toys.
- The aggressive toys included a mallet, bobo doll and dart guns.
- The non aggressive toys included a tea set, crayons, bears and a
plastic farm.
1961:
Aim- to investigate if social behaviours can be acquired by observation or
imitation (specifically aggression).
Procedure:
- 36 boys and 36 girls (from Stanford university nursery).
- Ages 3-6.
- The children were tested for how aggressive they were before the
experiment.
- Their aggression level was judged using a 5-point scale.
- The children were then matched for aggression levels that were
already present in the children.
- The experiment is matched pairs design.
- An aggressive model was shown to 24 children.
- A non aggressive model was shown to 24 children.
- No model was shown to 24 children as a control group.
Stage 1 (modelling):
- 24 children watched either. Male or female role model (adult) being
aggressive towards to bobo doll- they either hit the doll with a
hammer or just threw it around shouting words like ‘’boom’.
- The other condition the children watched either a male or female
non-aggressive role model with the bobo doll- they played around
the doll with. More calm toys such as a tea set.
- The control 24 were not exposed to a role model at all.
Stage 2 (aggression arousal):
- All of the children were taken into a room (separately) with lots of
toys and were allowed to play with them for a few minutes however
they were then told that those toys were the experimenter’s best
toys and that they were reserved for other children.
Stage 3 (test for delayed imitation):
- The children were then taken into a room with some other toys,
some aggressive and non aggressive toys.
- The aggressive toys included a mallet, bobo doll and dart guns.
- The non aggressive toys included a tea set, crayons, bears and a
plastic farm.
