Bobo Doll Studies

Definition

Albert Bandura conducted the Bobo doll studies in the 1960s to investigate whether children could learn new behaviors through observation. The descriptive name of these studies comes from an inflatable child's toy, a “Bobo doll,” that had a weighted bottom which allowed it to be repeatedly knocked over and yet bob back up. Children who observed an adult kicking, punching, or otherwise attacking the Bobo doll were more likely to later act in the very same way against the doll than were children who had observed nonviolent play or no play at all. Variations of the original study produced similar findings, even when a live clown was used in place of a doll. Collective findings from the Bobo doll studies aided Bandura in the development ...