According to Powell (2009) et al. “Bandura is well known for his studies on aggression, and he is particularly famous for what are now known as the “Bobo doll studies” (p. 471). The experiment involved young children who were to view adult models acting aggressively toward a Bobo doll (a large inflatable doll “that pops back up when pushed”) (Powell et al., 2009, p. 471). These same children were set in a room with a Bobo doll to see if they too would follow the adult model’s actions and act aggressively toward the Bobo doll (Powell et al., 2009, p. 471). Powell et al. (2009) confirms that the “research involved various types of models, various forms of demonstrated aggression, and children of varying ages. In these studies, Bandura found some striking evidence concerning the social learning of aggression” (p. 472).
Once he examined the results, Bandura found that the children who witnessed the adults acting aggressively copied this behavior and essentially “replicated the same behaviors” as the adults (Powell et al., 2009. P. 472). Powell et al. (2009) asserts, “The children in Bandura’s studies were very precise in some of their aggressive behavior, performing many of the same motor movements toward the same targets, using the same weapons, and uttering the same hostile statements” (p. 472). Powell et al. (2009) goes on to explain that the children’s aggression increased when they saw the aggressive adult’s behavior being reinforced; while as the children who witnessed an aggressive adult being punished for being aggressive were still aggressive, but less so than those who witnessed the reinforcement (p.472). Experimenters then gave incentive to those children who witnessed aggressive adults being punished, and then those very same children became even more aggressive (Powell et al., 2009, p. 472).
I find this experiment very interesting. I have heard on the news a countless number of times that video games and violent television are influencing the youth to act out and create crimes. Although I really do not believe that a video game can cause a person to go out and murder, I do believe -- because of this study and others like it – that witnessing violent acts could create aggression in people that may not have been there if they had not viewed violence. Again, I am not saying violent television creates homicidal maniacs, but maybe it does create aggression. What do all of you think?
Below is a video of the Bandura experiment:
Also, here is a commercial that promotes the idea “children see, children do.” I thought it was pretty interesting to watch.
Once he examined the results, Bandura found that the children who witnessed the adults acting aggressively copied this behavior and essentially “replicated the same behaviors” as the adults (Powell et al., 2009. P. 472). Powell et al. (2009) asserts, “The children in Bandura’s studies were very precise in some of their aggressive behavior, performing many of the same motor movements toward the same targets, using the same weapons, and uttering the same hostile statements” (p. 472). Powell et al. (2009) goes on to explain that the children’s aggression increased when they saw the aggressive adult’s behavior being reinforced; while as the children who witnessed an aggressive adult being punished for being aggressive were still aggressive, but less so than those who witnessed the reinforcement (p.472). Experimenters then gave incentive to those children who witnessed aggressive adults being punished, and then those very same children became even more aggressive (Powell et al., 2009, p. 472).
I find this experiment very interesting. I have heard on the news a countless number of times that video games and violent television are influencing the youth to act out and create crimes. Although I really do not believe that a video game can cause a person to go out and murder, I do believe -- because of this study and others like it – that witnessing violent acts could create aggression in people that may not have been there if they had not viewed violence. Again, I am not saying violent television creates homicidal maniacs, but maybe it does create aggression. What do all of you think?
Below is a video of the Bandura experiment:
Also, here is a commercial that promotes the idea “children see, children do.” I thought it was pretty interesting to watch.
That second video is amazing. This is one of the most interesting things to me. Because sometimes you don't even model after a family member, even when it comes to picking relationships in the future, women who had abusive fathers, tend to end up with abusers. This is so interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree that violent media shouldn't create violent people, but to young children, i feel violent tv and video games can cause violence easily. Especially when kids are too young to know that its just a video game, and not the real way of life. If a child thinks this is an acceptable way of life, i would think that the child would display it in the ways they behave as adults.
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