Bandura Ross and Ross TRANSMISSION OF AGGRESSION BY

Bandura Ross and Ross TRANSMISSION OF AGGRESSION BY ROLE MODELS

Bandura et al. Method �Participants � 36 boys and 36 girls aged 3 -5 �Condition A: observed an aggressive model �Condition B: Observed a non aggressive model �Condition C: observed no model

Bandura et al. Aim � To see whether social learning theory could explain aggressive behaviour � 4 hypotheses � Observing aggressive models will lead to imitation of that aggression, wheras observing non-aggressive models will lead to less aggression. � Observing an aggressive model will lead to generally higher levels of aggression. � Children will be more likely to imitate a same sex role model � Boys will be more likely than girls to imitate aggression

Bandura et al. method 36 m 36 f Agg model Male modle 6 m 6 f Female model 6 m 6 f Non-agg model Male model 6 m 6 f Female model 6 m 6 f No model 12 m 12 f

Bandura et. al. Proceedure �Phase 1: modelling �Condition A: aggressive model Twice through a set script including Lay doll on side and sit on it, punch on nose, throw in the air and kick about the room Say “he sure is a tough fella” “hit him down” “pow” �Condition B: Non aggressive model Ignore the bobo doll and sit quietly assembling tinker toys �Control: this group did not join the study until phase 2

Bandura et al. Procedure �Phase 2: Aggression arousal �Each child was taken into a room with attractive toys. . Doll set and fire engine �After 2 minutes the exp. Took the toys “for the other children” �This was so that all children were equally aroused to aggression when they encountered the bobo doll in phase 3

Bandura et al. Procedure �Phase 3: test for delayed imitation �Child enters the experimental room: Aggressive toys Non aggressive toys Experimenter working quietly in the corner Viewing mirror concealing 2 observers �Observers recorded child’s activity every 5 seconds �Observers not aware which exp. group child was in

Bandura et al. Procedure �Data recorded �Imitative aggression Physical Verbal �Mallet aggression �Sits on doll- non aggressive �Non imitative aggression Physical Verbal �Gun play

Bandura et al. Results �Children who observed the aggressive model showed higher aggression scores �Boys were more aggressive generally �Boys were most likely to imitate the male model’s physical aggression �Girls were more likely to imitate verbal aggression �Girls were less influenced by the sex of the model generally

Bandura et al. Conclusions �Behaviour may be learned through imitation of role models �The perception of aggression as a male behaviour is already in place in children as young as 3 �Viewing aggression makes children more aggressive generally �There are distinct gender differences in imitative behaviour: although this is likely to have been affected by the gendered nature of the task

Bandura et al. Issues �Experimental Design: Controls Gender: participant Dispositional aggression Gender: model Aggressive or non aggressive model Natural aggressive reaction to toys (no model) Reliability of observation: 2 observers

Bandura et al. Data �Quantitative: Aggression scores �Qualitative: Children’s comments “she sure is a funny lady” �Issues: validity, reliability, ethics, usefulness, nature or nurture, representativeness