A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Bandura's research indicated that which gender is more likely to imitate aggressive behaviors?

1. Girls

2. It depends on the model

3. Both genders equally

4. Boys

The correct answer is: Boys

Bandura's research, particularly the famous Bobo doll experiments, demonstrated that boys are generally more likely to imitate aggressive behaviors compared to girls. This finding can be attributed to various social and biological factors. Socially, boys are often encouraged to engage in more physical and aggressive play, which shapes their behavior and expectations around aggression. Additionally, the models that boys observed in Bandura's studies were often male, contributing to their tendency to imitate the aggressive actions exhibited. Bandura also noted that the imitation of aggression can be influenced by the perceived competence and authority of the model; thus, boys may be more responsive to male models who demonstrate aggressive behaviors. In contrast, girls, who might be socialized differently regarding aggression and emotional expression, showed less inclination to imitate such behaviors. Therefore, the preference for boys to imitate aggression in Bandura's findings aligns with broader patterns of gender socialization, where boys are more likely to adopt behaviors that are culturally associated with masculinity, including aggression.