Identify the historical research study (video) you selected from the list above
The Bandura Bobo Doll experiment was focused on determining whether children, when exposed to various behavioral tendencies, are able to imitate them. The experiment was conducted in 1961 whereby children were exposed to aggressive and non-aggressive adult models. Afterwards, they were tested for the amount or rather degree of imitative learning while in the absence of the model (Bandura, Ross & Ross, 1961). The adult model was used as a tool to demonstrate the likelihood or lack thereof of influencing and exerting control on others. Bandura, Ross and Ross (1961) had the prediction that subjects exposed to aggressive models would exhibit aggressive acts similar to those of their models. In this regard, the subjects were expected to differ from the behavior of nonaggressive models as well as from those who had no exposure to any models. In this case, the anticipation was that there would be a marked difference between subjects exposed to aggressive models, nonaggressive models and those with no exposure.
Summarize the results of this study and what implications it has with regards to human behavior and mental processes that you have learned about in Units 1-2.
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Based on the video, the results demonstrated that the adult models had considerable influence and to some extent, some level of control on the subjects. Bandura described the experiment stating that the inflated doll was exposed to both physical and verbal aggression. The adult models hit the doll throwing it to the ground, kicking it, pushing it alongside other physical acts of aggression (Everywhere Psychology, 2012). Upon reviewing the children interacting with the doll, it was evident that they had acquired or rather learned the physical aggression as demonstrated by the adult models. They repeated the same kind of aggressive behavior they were exposed to. For instance, one of the subjects, a young boy, was seen kicking the doll, picking it up and throwing it to the floor, punching it, using a hammer to hit it among other kinds of aggression. The same was the case when a young girl was exposed to the doll. However, for the young boy, he was seen using verbal approach against the doll and at some point, picked a gun and pointed it at the object (Everywhere Psychology, 2012).
Focusing on the behavior that the young boy exhibited, one can notice that human beings are able to extend their behavior to the extreme. One does not need to have learned a particular behavior, he or she only needs to be exposed to stimuli that is likely to promote exhibition of the said behavior. Graham and Arshad-Ayax (2016) stated that the doll experienced led to learned unsustainability in the human subjects. The implication is that the subjects were not able to maintain their behavior to only that which they had been exposed to. Thus, one can understand why the young boy picked up a gun threatening to shoot the doll. Therefore, there is no limit when it comes to mental processes in human beings. The young boy must have wanted to impose a different kind of aggression on the doll, one that he thought would cause even greater harm.
Describe what this study demonstrated about the scientific method using the information you have learned in Units 1-2
The study demonstrates that the scientific method used in carrying out the research is somewhat reliable when it comes to generating results. For instance, in the video, Bandura begins by explaining what the experiment was about and how it was conducted. He explained that the subjects would be exposed to aggressive and nonaggressive behavior from adult models interacting with an inflated doll. The results demonstrated considerable differences between those exposed to the aggressive behavior compared to those subjects that were not exposed to the same (Spielman, 2016). Thus, the study confirmed that the scientific method was appropriate and reliable for the research in question.
Identify the research method you see demonstrated in the study and explain your reasoning for choosing that method.
The study involved an experimental and a control group. The subjects were exposed to both aggressive and nonaggressive adult models. Bandura, Ross and Ross (1961) explained the method used stating that the subjects were divided into eight experimental groups of six subjects each while there was a control group of 24 subjects. The reasoning behind the chosen method bases on a review of the description of the results generated. From the experiment, there were different outcomes in terms of imitation or lack thereof of aggressive behavior. Therefore, in order to determine the effectiveness of the study, the researchers used two groups to compared their findings.
Do you think this historical research was ethical or unethical? Explain your reasoning using American Psychological Association (APA) ethical guidelines described in your reading
The research might not have been approved if it was unethical especially since it involved minors as subjects. According to the APA (2018), informed consent plays a fundamental role in ensuring that potential respondents are aware of the nature of research they are consenting to. However, the challenge in dealing with children as respondents is that they cannot give consent. However, their caregivers or parents must be consulted to allow for their participation. In this case, I believe Bandura and his colleagues followed the right research procedures and guidelines when conducting the doll experiment. They were ethical in their approach.
References
American Psychological Associa tion. (2018). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/
Bandura, A., Ross, D. & Ross, S. (1961). Transmission of aggression through imitation of aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63 , 575-582.
Everywhere Psychology. (2012, August 28). Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment [Video Fil]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmBqwWlJg8U
Graham, P., & Arshad-Ayaz, A. (2016). Learned Unsustainability: Bandura’s Bobo Doll Revisited. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development,10 (2), 262-273. doi:10.1177/0973408216650954
Spielman, R. A. (2016). Psychology. Retrieved from https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology.
