Dse141_Tma01

Part one Write a short piece summarising and interpreting the information presented in the table by Bandura, A., Ross, D. And Ross, S. (1963) ‘Imitation of film-mediated aggressive models’. Journal of Abnormal and Social Pschology, vol. 66, no.1, pp.3-11. This table provides us with information on an experiment conducted featuring 96 children aged between 3 and 6 years of age split in to four groups using three conditions: Live Model- male and female Filmed Model Control (no model) The findings were then recorded and separated in to variants such as gender and imitative and non-imitative behaviour: Girls reacted more violently than boys only after witnessing the female model (19.2 compared to 18.4) The female model provided the closest numbers between boys and girls in imitative behaviour The biggest difference between the sexes was with imitative behaviour after witnessing the male model (girls- 9.2 compared to boys- 38.4) Imitative aggression by boys was more than double that of girls (girls- 128.6 compared to 203.10) The control group showed very low imitative behaviour from both sexes Non- imitative aggression was higher by boys in the control group than it was after witnessing the female model and the filmed male model. These findings indicate that: Boys are more prone to aggressive behaviour than girls even without witnessing it directly Girls were more influenced by the female model than the male model Children are more likely to show aggressive behaviour after witnessing it [Word count- 212] Part two Understanding childrens behaviour via research by Bandura, Ross and Ross on social learning and aggression Introduction In Stanford University, California in 1963, Bandura and his colleagues conducted an experiment to investigate if children’s aggression levels could be influenced by the media. In this handout, we will be exploring the findings of this experiment, why this is relevant as well as ethical issues raised by conducting this study. The Experiment Ninety- six children aged between three and six years old participated in Bandura’s experiment. They were separated in to four groups of equal numbers with twelve boys and twelve girls in each group. Conditions were set up so that each group would have a different version of the same experience involving someone displaying aggressive and violent behaviour towards an inflatable clown. Group 1 -Were shown a male model acting violently towards the clown, kicking and punching it, hitting it with a mallet whilst shouting phrases at it such as “hit it down”. Group 2- The same as above except with a female model acting aggressively towards the clown. Group 3- Were shown the same sequence of events and phrases acted out towards the clown, but performed in a cartoonish fashion with the model dressed as a cat character in a fantasy stylised land and saying the same phrases but in a high pitched voice. This was presented with music at the beginning and was shown on a television. Group 4- This was the control group who did not witness an attack on the clown. After the children had witnessed their group’s performance, they were led in to a room full of toys but were told they could not play with them as they were reserved for other ‘good’ children. The children were then led to a third room with a variety of ‘aggressive’ toys such as a replica clown doll, a mallet and dart guns as well as an array of ‘non-aggressive toys’ such as dolls, farm animals and drawing equipment and allowed twenty minutes of free play. Findings In order to turn their findings in to data, each aggressive act whether imitative (directly copying what they had witnessed, i.e.; hitting the clown with a mallet or repeating a phrase heard) or non-imitative (an aggressive act not demonstrated by the model to the clown) were recorded via the use of a two way mirror. Each act of aggression committed by a child was noted and counted in order to provide figures to place in the table. Group 1- This group had the highest instance of imitative as well as non imitative behaviour from both of the sexes. Group 2- This was the only condition that had a higher level of imitative violence amongst girls than boys. This was the group which had a female model. Group 3- Aggressive acts were also witnessed from both sexes and in both forms after watching the cartoon version of the condition. Group 4- The control group had a very low level of imitative aggression as they did not witness the aggression towards the clown. Levels of non imitative aggression were the lowest amongst girls of all the conditions and were still relatively high amongst the boys. This experiment helps provide a basis for the argument that violence in media can be detrimental to children if they are exposed to it. Issues and ethics As this experiment took place in 1963, some issues regarding the ethics and the child’s willingness to participate have arisen as there was no recorded evidence of an ethics review for this experiment. Nowadays, participants in psychological experiments need to be aware that they are participating in an experiment and also need to have the ability to opt out of the experiment at any time if they no longer wish to participate. As the children were very young, it raises concerns of whether they were fully aware of what was going on around them. Were their actions and behaviour influenced by the presence of an adult in the room with them' Did they imitate this behaviour as they thought it was expected of them and most importantly, would there be long lasting effects of this experiment that may stay with the child in to later life' Conclusion From Banduras’s study, we now know that there is a link between children being exposed to aggression and them imitating it. The study proved that children who were recently exposed to acts of violence or aggression were more likely to imitate such acts or show their own forms of aggression afterwards. Evidence from the study showed that boys tended to be more aggressive than girls, whether they were shown violence beforehand or not, however girls were more influenced by a model of their own gender. This study has provided us with a valuable insight in to understanding children’s behaviour through social learning. References Bandura,A., Ross,D. And Ross, S.A. (1963)’Imitation of film-mediated aggressive models’, Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, vol 66, no 1, pp.3-11. Brace,N. and Byford,J. (2010) DSE141 Discovering Psychology,pp.103-128 (Chapter 3, Learning from Watching, Oates,J.), Open University Word Count [811]