Bandura’s Research (OCR A-Level Psychology): Flashcards

To investigate if social behaviours (e.g. aggression) can be learned via observation & imitation

Were more aggressive than those who saw non-aggressive model

Boys imitated more physically aggressive acts than girls

Children imitate role models even if behaviour is aggressive

Associating with someone & unconsciously patterning behaviour

Model praised, punished, or had no consequence for aggression

Children who saw model praised for aggressive behaviour

Children who saw model punished for aggressive behaviour

Imitation more likely if model is positively reinforced

Recognises element of choice in whether we imitate behaviour

Followed standardised procedure that can be repeated

Children may have thought aggression was expected by adults

Lab setting, hard to generalise, not natural situation

Why boys more physically aggressive (e.g., testosterone)

Objective, quantitative, uses experimental methods