A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

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What was the main aim of Bandura et al (1961) in their research?

To observe children engaging in non-aggressive play
To investigate children's imitation of aggression and gender influence
To assess cognitive development stages among children
To measure academic performance among children

The correct answer is: To investigate children's imitation of aggression and gender influence

The main aim of Bandura et al. (1961) was to investigate children's imitation of aggression and the influence of gender on this behavior. This study, famously known as the Bobo Doll experiment, sought to understand how children would replicate aggressive behaviors they observed from adult models. By presenting different models—some aggressive and some non-aggressive—and varying whether those models were male or female, Bandura aimed to explore how observational learning played a role in children's behavior. The emphasis on gender influence in the study highlighted the role of social learning in shaping aggression, as it showed that children were more likely to imitate the behavior of same-sex models. This research significantly contributed to the understanding of social cognitive theory and the dynamics of behavioral imitation based on gender, illustrating the powerful impact of observed behavior in a social context.