Real Life Implications: Bobo Doll Experiment

​The Bobo Doll Experiment was a classic study that examined how children learn aggressive behavior through modeling and imitation through exposure to violent behavior. It remains relevant today as parents grapple with how to limit their child's exposure to violence and aggression in media and gaming.


The study was conducted by psychologist Albert Bandura in the 1960s and involved elementary-aged children who watched videos of an adult model engaging in aggressive behavior towards a Bobo doll, a large inflatable toy. The children then interacted with the Bobo doll themselves, and their behavior was observed. These observations found that the children who had been exposed to the aggressive behavior were more likely to model and imitate it, and show higher levels of aggressiveness towards the doll.


Bandura's study highlights the importance of parents being aware of the media and content that their children are exposed to, as young children are particularly susceptible to modeling and imitating behavior. While it is not always possible to shield children from all violence and aggression in media, parents can take steps to limit exposure and provide context to what their children see.


Parents can adopt different approaches to limit exposure, including blocking violence and explicit content, actively talking to their children about the effects of violent behavior, and encouraging exposure to non-violent and positive media content. Additionally, parents can teach their children the value of empathy, respect for others, and non-violent conflict resolution skills to help prevent aggressive behavior.


Above all, parents should have an open and honest dialogue with their children about the influence of violence in media and real-life scenarios. By doing so, they can help their children develop a sense of personal responsibility and critical thinking, and encourage positive behaviors that promote social harmony and peaceful coexistence.


The Bobo Doll Experiment remains a powerful reminder of the impact of media and modeling on children's behavior. As parents, we have a responsibility to guide our children's exposure to media and provide them with the skills and values that will help them make responsible and respectful choices in the real world.

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