Shuttleworth, M. (2008). The bobo doll experiment.
Retrieved October 30, 2008, from Experiment-Resources website:
http://www.experiment-resources.com/bobo-doll-experiment.html
I like this experiment due to the fact that is shows a lot of impact on adult to child conformity. In a previous reading it confermed that older adults conform more than young children. I was thrown off by that reading because I feel that young children will conform to their elders because that is all they know. This study shows children follow the examples of what older people are doing to try and be like them. This is a good example that makes one realize, as parents, they need to be careful in what they do because their children will grow up doing the same thing.
I think it would be interesting to do this same experiment with older children. These children would range from ages 14-21. One could place children of an older age with a younger age, and two of about the same age in the room. I predict that each person will conform to the one that acts more powerful and strong. This would be due to the feeling of being accepted.
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I really liked you mentioning that they should do this experiment with older kids. It would be interesting to see if anybody has done studies about looking at conformity between two friends in which one of them is slightly older than the other. I think that they would find out that more times than not, that the younger friend would conform to the older friend. I think that it could be based on the younger friend seeing the older friend as being more experienced and wiser. It also could be based on them, like you were saying, wanting to be accepted. These things would put more pressure on the younger person to conform to the older friend.
ReplyDeleteI think this is why there is such a push for political correctness in this country. This isn't for the adult's sake. It's for the kids! Although experiences can help a young person adapt, most are influenced by the people around them. One parent might say that they hate all liberals, or to not trust blacks, or whatever. There is no questioning of the material for them if that is all they know.
ReplyDeleteOne question that sticks in my mind is the implementation of the v-chip on television. Is it better that the offensive information is left out for younger kids? Or is it worse because we are limiting their exposure to opposing feelings in the outside world. One might censor a Chris Rock special because they don't want their kids hearing the 'N' Word. Another parent may leave it unblocked and the kid may see Chris Rock talking about his sketch about the different kinds of black people.
I think that younger kids soak up information like a sponge and they will most likely see their parents and close friends as well as teachers as the most influential. I think older kids will start breaking the norm and start deciding for themselves when presented with information they have never heard themselves. Is complete exposure the best, or does there need to be some boundaries to what children should be exposed to?