STUDY
The Original Study:
Bandura et al (1961) carried out an experiment involving pre-school children who observed aggressive or non-aggressive adult models, and were then tested for imitative learning in the absense of the model.
Aggressive Model Condition:
Aggressive Model Condition:
- The adult displayed distinctive physically and verbally aggressive acts towards a Bobo doll, EG: striking it with a rubber mallet, while saying "Pow!".
- The adult played peacefull with other toys and ignored the Bobo doll.
- No adult model was observed.
Results:
Children who observed the aggressive model showed more:
- Aggressive play which imitated the adult - both physically and verbally
- Aggressive play which ws non-imitative - EG: playing with a toy gun
Follow-Up Studies:
In a series of follow up variations, Bandura et al. also found that:
- Vicarious reinforcement (model rewarded with sweets) and punishment (model scolded and spanked) influenced the likelihood of imitation.
- Filmed and cartoon models were imitated as much as live ones.
- Children imitated more if they were directly rewarded for doing so, even if they had seen the model punished.
- When a live clown was used in place of a Bobo doll, children were just as aggressive in their imitation.
Conclusions:
- These studies support SLT by showing that new behaviours can be learned through observation and imitation.
- They also support the role of mediational processes, such as vicarious reinforcement and motivation.