A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which group imitated more physical aggression according to Bandura et al's results?

1. Girls

2. Boys

3. Both genders equally

4. None of the groups

The correct answer is: Boys

In Bandura et al.'s study on observational learning and aggression, the results demonstrated that boys imitated more physical aggression than girls. This finding reflected the existing cultural stereotypes and societal expectations surrounding gender and aggression. Boys were often socialized to display more aggressive behaviors, which was evident in their higher levels of imitation in the study. The research involved observing children who were exposed to aggressive models, and the boys, generally trained to engage in more aggressive play, showed a stronger tendency to replicate those aggressive behaviors compared to girls. This aligns with societal norms that commonly identify physical aggression as more characteristic of males than females. Bandura's work thus highlights how gender roles can influence behavior and learning through observation.