A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which type of study design was employed by Bandura et al in his research?

1. Field experiment

2. Laboratory experiment

3. Longitudinal study

4. Cross-sectional study

The correct answer is: Laboratory experiment

Bandura et al. employed a laboratory experiment in his research, which is evidenced by his study design that took place in a controlled environment. This approach allowed researchers to manipulate the independent variable—in this case, exposure to aggressive behavior—and observe its effects on the dependent variable, which was the children's subsequent behavior in terms of aggression. The use of a laboratory setting enabled Bandura to minimize external variables and establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the observed aggression in models and the behavior displayed by the children. This also facilitated careful observation and recording of behaviors, enhancing the reliability of the findings. In contrast, field experiments typically occur in natural environments outside of lab settings, while longitudinal studies involve tracking the same subjects over an extended period, and cross-sectional studies collect data at a single point in time from different subjects. These other designs would not have aligned with Bandura's objective to demonstrate the immediate effects of modeled aggression in a controlled setting.