Charlton
Charlton et al. (2002)
Observation of the introduction of television in a remote community (St. Helena)
Aim:
To investigate whether children in St. Helena would exhibit more aggressive behavior after the introduction of television to the island in 1995.
Procedure:
- The study was a natural experiment. Children (aged three to eight years) were observed before and after the introduction of television through cameras set up in the playgrounds of two primary schools on the island. The level of aggression in television matched what children in the UK were exposed to.
- The researchers also conducted interviews with teachers, parents, and some of the older children.
Results:
There was no increase in aggressive or antisocial behavior. This was also the case after five years.
Discussion of results
- The data showed that children did not change their behavior after television had arrived although they saw the same amount of violent television as British children.
- The parents and teachers said that antisocial behavior was not accepted on the island and that there was a high degree of social control in the community. It shows that people may learn aggressive behavior but they may not exhibit it for several reasons.
- Social and cultural factors also play a role in what behaviors are acceptable, so even though the children had no doubt learned aggressive behavior, they did not show it.
Evaluation:
The study investigated a real-life event and is high in ecological validity. It does not question SLT but rather the results of Bandura and Ross (1961). The results also confirm the idea that people must be motivated to imitate behavior.