Bobo Doll Experiment
Discover how children learn behavior through observation, based on Albert Bandura's classic Bobo doll study.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the four processes of observational learning?
Attention (watching the model's key actions), Retention (encoding what was seen for later recall), Motor Reproduction (translating memory into behavior), and Motivation (deciding to perform based on expected outcomes). Failure at any step blocks learning.
Why is the Bobo doll experiment important?
It provided key evidence for Bandura's Social Learning Theory, showing that learning does not require direct reinforcement — children can acquire new behaviors simply by watching others.
What ethical concerns did the study raise?
The study deliberately exposed children to aggressive models, raising questions about whether it increased their aggressive behavior. It contributed to discussions about research ethics involving children and media violence.
Show Details
What was the Bobo doll experiment?
In 1961, Albert Bandura and colleagues had children observe an adult model attacking an inflatable Bobo doll — live, in person (film-based versions came in later studies). Children who observed the aggressive model later showed significantly more aggressive behavior than children who observed a non-aggressive model or no model at all.
References
- Bandura, A., Ross, D., & Ross, S. A. (1961). Transmission of aggression through imitation of aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63(3), 575-582. 10.1037/h0045925
- Bandura, A., Ross, D., & Ross, S. A. (1963). Imitation of film-mediated aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 66(1), 3-11. 10.1037/h0048687
- Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice Hall.
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About This Experiment
This experiment is an educational adaptation for demonstration purposes. It is not a clinical diagnostic tool. Results reflect your performance in this specific session and should not be interpreted as an assessment of your cognitive abilities.
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