Bobo Doll Experiment

In [blank_start]1961[blank_end], [blank_start]Albert[blank_end] Bandura wanted to see how much simply [blank_start]observing[blank_end] somebody influences our behaviour.

At the time, the general consensus was that watching violence [blank_start]reduces[blank_end] aggression.

The study consisted of an [blank_start]adult[blank_end] in a room with a [blank_start]child[blank_end] and the [blank_start]bobo doll[blank_end].

The adult would beat up the doll for about [blank_start]10[blank_end] minutes.

When left by themselves in the room, the children would [blank_start]re-enact[blank_end] what they saw the adult do.

Another group who saw the adult play [blank_start]gently[blank_end], also [blank_start]copied[blank_end] this.

This went [blank_start]against[blank_end] the original consensus!

The experiment took place around the same time as [blank_start]television[blank_end] was becoming an everyday thing in American homes.

Bandura attempted this study again, [blank_start]two[blank_end] years later. This time, he wanted to study how children reacted to violence on [blank_start]film[blank_end].

Children watched two versions: one being a film of an adult [blank_start]beating up[blank_end] the doll, the other being a [blank_start]fantasy[blank_end] version with the adult dressed up as a cat.

For nearly everyone, the children [blank_start]copied[blank_end] what they watched.

This study highlights the power of [blank_start]models[blank_end].

One can cause people to behave in many different ways: [blank_start]selfishly[blank_end], selflessly, to choose certain [blank_start]foods[blank_end] or apparel, or even to think [blank_start]creatively[blank_end] or [blank_start]conservatively[blank_end].

On her first visit to the lab, a [blank_start]four[blank_end]-year old child said ""Look mummy, there's the doll we have to hit".