A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What type of sampling was employed in Bandura et al's study?

1. Random sampling

2. Opportunity sampling

3. Stratified sampling

4. Longitudinal sampling

The correct answer is: Opportunity sampling

Bandura et al.'s study is well-known for its investigation into social learning and the effects of observing aggressive behavior on children. The researchers utilized opportunity sampling, which means they selected participants who were readily available and willing to take part in the study. This approach allowed the researchers to efficiently gather a sample from a specific environment, in this case, children attending a specific nursery. Opportunity sampling is often chosen for its practicality and ease of recruitment, especially in settings where researchers have limited access to a larger population. This method can sometimes introduce biases, but it is often utilized in psychological studies due to logistical reasons. The other sampling methods, such as random sampling, stratified sampling, and longitudinal sampling, involve different techniques that either require a more complex selection process, a specific structure based on population characteristics, or a focus on tracking the same subjects over time, which Bandura's study did not employ. Therefore, the choice of opportunity sampling aligns closely with the practical aspects of the study design.