Albert Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment

633 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Bandura social learning theory

Dr. Albert Bandura was a psychologist who social learning theory stressed the importance of observational learning, imitation and modeling. He did a study where he took a Bobo doll and had a woman beat the doll up while shouting aggressive words at it. This behavior was filmed and then shown to a group of children. Then once the child viewed the film they were allowed to play with the Bobo doll. Dr. Bandura wanted to see if the children behaved in the manner as the adult has done on the film.
I did further research on this experiment to see just what it entailed. There were 36 boys and 36 girls ages ranged from three to almost six, with the average age being 4.4 years old. In addition there was eight experimental groups. Twenty-four then were assigned to a control group that got no treatment. Then the rest were placed into two groups with twenty-four in each. One of the groups was then exposed to models that were aggressive in nature, while the other group was subjected to a non aggressive model. Then Bandura further divided these experimental groups into male and female. Then these groups were then split in half and were exposed to a same sex adult model and the other were exposed to an opposite sex adult model.
Each child was evaluated separately to make sure their behavior was not influenced by others. Each child was then taken into a playroom and allowed to do different activities. Then an adult was brought in who was to sit down and join in the activity the child was doing. Basically in the non-aggressive setting, the adult played with tinker-toys and have not interaction with the Bobo doll, while in the aggressive group the adult model attacked the Bobo doll violently. Also, the adult abused the doll verbally. Then afte...

... middle of paper ...

...ould have been nice to see more of the experiment that was done. Bandura basically states that aggression can be learned by observation or by direct instruction. (Bandura - bobo doll experiment, 2010) I do agree with him on his theory. Because I fully feel that children learn from their environment. If children are taught it is alright to be violent, mean or aggressive, then they will grow up to think this is alright. On the other hand, if they are shown it is wrong and made to understand why it is, they are more likely to grow up stable and non-violent.

Works Cited and References.
Bandura - bobo doll experiment. (2010, Feburary 22). Retrieved from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHdovKHDNU
Cherry, K. (2014). Bobo Doll Experiment. Retrieved from About.com: http://psychology.about.com/od/classicpsychologystudies/a/bobo-doll-experiment.htm

Show More
Related

  • Psychological Perspective on Antwone Fisher

    1362 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bandura’s theory uses the social- learning approach. This approach would explain that Antwone was a product of what he saw. This showed in the behaviors that he displayed. This approach derives from the behaviorist approach (Schultz & Schultz, 2013). Bandura would believe that one learns by observing what is taking place in his or her environment and the people that are around the individual (Schultz & Schultz, 2013). Modeling was very important to Bandura (Schultz & Schultz, 2013).

    Read More

  • Albert Desando Social Learning Theory

    2043 Words  | 5 Pages

    In 1977, Psychologist Albert Bandura adopted the Social Learning Theory making it an influential and important theory. Bandura believed that direct reinforcement could not account for all types of learning capabilities. Bandura argued that individuals could learn new information and behavior by watching other individuals and the type of leanings can be explained by a wide variety of behaviors. This theory acknowledges that just because something has been learned, it does not mean that it will result in a change in behavior. However, the influence from others can cause a change in

    Read More

  • Reading 12 : See Aggression Do Agression !

    1582 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of the most researched topics in the history of psychology is aggression. One goal of social scientists has been to define aggression. Some believe that aggression is biologically preprogrammed, others look toward situational factors and this study suggests that aggression is learned. This study was conducted by Albert Bandura and his associates in 1961 at Stanford University. The researchers proposed that the children be exposed to adult models with either aggressive or nonaggressive ways, they would then be tested without the models present to determine if they would imitate that aggression they observed in the adult.

    Read More

  • The Bobo Doll Study: Albert Bandura's Contributions

    854 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Bobo doll research was to observe children and their reactions of observing a video. In this experiment children were to watch a film in which a female had shown aggression to this Bobo doll during the video, after this film ended the same exact doll was placed in the same room with the children. The children seen the Bobo doll and displayed the same behavior as in the film was shown. The results have shown that the children in this group that the male children have showed more aggressiveness then females did, but in both gender showed signs of different levels of aggression. The Bobo doll was removed from the room and the children became nonviolent or nonaggressive. I agree with this experiment because I believe to be true children do mimic what they see and hear from their surroundings. Bandura pointed out that child when born do not have a behavior but understand the concept of emotions can cause a person to response to the emotion, such as an infant being born, the infant then would display a cry due to hunger or discomfort and the parents would then respond to the

    Read More

  • Applying the Social Cognitive Theory of Albert Bandura

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    Annie, a fifth-grade student in Mr. Keller's class, is being quiet and sullen for the fifth day in a row. "I just can't do this writing stuff," she finally says in an appeal to Mr. Keller. "I'm not a good student. Give me P.E. or art over this stuff any day!" If we apply Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory in her comment "I just can't do this writing stuff" how does Bandura's theory help us to understand Annie? According, the Social Cognitive Theory of Albert Bandura which combines both behavioral and cognitive philosophies to form his theory of modeling, or observational learning states that human personality is an interaction between the environment and a person's psychological processes. With this interaction humans are able to control their behavior through a process known as self-regulation (Woolfolk, 2013, p. 400). He also assures that some factors like environment and personal experiences can encourage behaviors such as Annie, why? Because, in her case, it seems that Annie’s school achievement and personal interest in writing are not interacting; in addition, Annie may lack of motivation and reinforcement in her life that can be the cause of her frustration in writing. Consequently, she prefers school subjects like PE or art that she thinks, she will be successful. Woolfolk (2013) says that humans “may acquire a new skill or behavior through observation, but we may not perform that behavior until there is some motivation or incentive to do so” (p. 402). Therefore, the lack of motivation, feedback, modeling, and effort can be a few reasons why Annie seems to discourage about her writing skills.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Observation On Child Development

    1499 Words  | 3 Pages

    The environment in which an infant is raise, has to do a lot with his/her development. I was surprise by this observation because there were different personalities. Loui was the child who interact more with the students in the classroom. Also, he was surprise of the things that he was able to do by using his gross motor skills. Charlotte imitate the behavior with the toys that were in the classroom. On the other hand, Benjamin was insecure child that needed to be near his mom/dad. I learned many things from this activity. I was able to understand the concepts because I related to the observation. This will help me in my future

    Read More

  • Criminological Theories Essay

    859 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sullivan. This proposed that individuals learn values, techniques, attitudes and motives for criminal behaviour through their interactions with others . Believing that group-think can possess a large influence on the behaviour of those around people engaging in criminal behaviour . This theory can easily be associated with Albert Banduras observational learning theory that is based on the importance of social factors in learning . It was believed that the reason people start engaging in criminal behaviour is from the group they are associated with. Both theories highlight the importance of observational learning in the younger age bracket. In the case of the crime previously mentioned the youngest member of the gang of thieves was 11 years old. It can rationally be assumed that an 11 year old child does not possess the knowledge to steal a motor vehicle without the explicit teachings of someone older that does possess this “skill”. This exposure to criminal behaviour normalises wrong doings. The more someone is exposed to anti-social stimuli the more acceptable it becomes in their own social world. While Sullivan’s theory has its strong points it also has its criticisms. This critique stems from the idea of rational thought and individualism. Claiming people are independent thinkers with rational actions and individual motives . However, in Banduras Bobo doll experiment the impressionability of children is highlighted and showed that children exposed to certain behaviour are highly likely to repeat the behaviour themselves. Which would ensure a child being directly taught the adverse behaviour would, in turn, be highly likely to repeatedly engage with the same behaviour

    Read More

  • Albert Bandura: Observational Learning

    629 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... the current century that children learn from what they see and repeat the behaviors and words that they observe those in their environment doing, Bandura was the first to show that learning occurred even if imitation did not occur and that learning was not dependent on reinforcement like many earlier theorists, such as Miller and Dollard, believed (Olson, & Hergenhahn). He was the first to study observational learning and place importance on its implications as some theoritsts, such as Thorndike, Watson, and Piaget, completely ignored or disregarded observational learning (Olson, & Hergenhahn).

    Read More

  • Bobo Doll Experiment Essay

    1224 Words  | 3 Pages

    A Bobo doll was introduced into a room where the kids were playing and the Bobo doll was subjected to three different kinds of behavior that the children were made to witness. In the aggressive model, the adult role model attacked the Bobo doll. Sometimes they used hammers and sometimes they “threw the doll up in the air and shouted “Pow, Boom”” (McLeod, 2011.) In the non-aggressive model, the adult role model ignored the Bobo doll and played in a restrained manner. In the control group, the children played by themselves and were left to do whatever they wanted. Out of the 24 kids who were shown the aggressive model, 6 boys and 6 girls were shown a female model performing the aggressive action and 6 boys and 6 girls were shown a male model doing the same act. Of the 24 that saw the non-aggressive role model, again 6 boys and 6 girls were exposed to a female model and 6 boys and 6 girls were exposed to a male model. The 24 children of the control group were exposed to neither female nor male models. It is important to note that all the children were induced to a “mild aggression arousal” (McLeod, 2011.) The children were allowed to play with a couple of toys and as soon as they made a selection, it was taken away from them and were told that those toys were meant for the other

    Read More

  • Michael's Aggression Theory

    933 Words  | 2 Pages

    Studies have shown that when there is an aggressive cue available there are higher levels of aggression. The social learning theories are the explanations for aggression as a learnt behaviour and are not a result from innate drives. It proposes that our environment and what we observe teaches us how to respond and behave in a situation. A.

    Read More

  • Social Cognitive Theory Essay

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    (McLeod) Bandura is best known for conducting the “Bobo Doll” experiment. He developed the social cognitive theory as well as the self-efficacy theory. The self-efficacy theory states one’s belief in his/ her own ability. Bandura found that people who believed in themselves were more likely to accomplish their goals. (Albert) He coined the “Behaviourist Model” in which the Stimulus (environment) > Black Box (which cannot be studied) > Response Behavior. And also the “Cognitive Model” which is the Input (in

    Read More

  • Social Disorganization Theory Case Study

    2787 Words  | 6 Pages

    Bandura discusses the importance of observational learning. Bandura focuses mostly on how kids develop their habits based of their role models. Bandura shows this in the Bobo Doll Experiment. The Bobo Doll experiment consisted of 36 boys and 36 girls. They were then separated again into watching a video of a plastic doll called Bobo. Some children were separated by some adults aggressively beating up Bobo and the other half were calm adults. After they were showed the video, the kids were then shown to Bobo and the results matched the Social Learning Theory to the max. The kids that were show the aggressive videos were aggressive towards Bobo. Another Social Learning Theory can be told in my shoes because I have done something similar. I remember in fifth grade my older cousin would always ride his bike down the biggest hill without a helmet. I figured if he did and was okay, why can’t I? I learned the hard way and sliced my arm on a rock. Luckily I did not need stitches however, I did go to the doctors and got ointment for it. I still have the scar today. I feel like the Social Learning Theory has made an impact on my life because I have had the opportunity of having a role model. This role model has made a positive change to my life. Similar to Bobo, I have seen what negative role models have done for a person and how much it affects

    Read More

  • Sigmund Freud And Bandura's Theories Of Personality

    826 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bandura based his conducted theory on modeling behavior and observational learning. His theory also emphasizes conscious cognitive processes and learning and including the importance of beliefs about the self, self-regulation and goal setting. Bandura 's theory of personality is a child 's personality is highly dependent on their social environment as well as their level of self-regulation and self-efficacy. This theory applies too all of the factors in the social cognitive theory as well as the concept of reciprocal determination. Reciprocal determination refers to the collective and continuous interactions that occur between the human behavior, human mind, and environmental factors. Just like when Bandura performed an experiment on a group of toddlers with the Bobo doll and after the conclusions he analyzed humans do learn through observing behaviors, others actions and even the outcome of what behavior they act upon. Essentially what he believes is that humans behavior is effected by and affects the world and environment around

    Read More

  • Emerging Adulthood Vs Middle Adulthood Essay

    679 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bandura theorized that personality is determined by the interaction of cognitive or things learned, behavioral or anything that results in punishment or reward, and situational factors meaning environmental. All three factors building upon one another to form our personalities. This makes the most sense to me and I completely agree with Bandura’s theory of observational learning. This all makes sense, I start with certain personality traits which behaviorists do not believe in. Then I watch and learn and imitate observed behavior reaping the punishment or reward.

    Read More

  • Essay On Behaviorism

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    Vicarious learning, also known as observational learning, is a type of learning that includes observation, retaining information, and replicating the behavior from others. This type of learning can take place at any stage in life, however it is very important during childhood as authority plays a bigger part in children’s lives. Albert Bandura came up with the process of social learning called modeling and he gave four conditions needed for a person to suc...

    Read More

More about Albert Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment

Open Document