Effects of Modeling and Model-Observer Similarity in Imitation and Generalization of Aggressive Verbal Behavior

Abstract

This study involved 80 male undergraduates and was designed to assess the effects of varying model and observer similarity on a measure of social activism on the imitation and generalization of aggressive verbal behavior. The 2 × 2 × 2 design varied S's and model's espoused social activism and modeled verbal aggression. Significant modeling and S-activism effects were observed; however, there were no significant generalization or interaction effects. The latter findings suggest a need for further clarification in modeling theory in delineating the boundary conditions for the occurrence and extent of the imitative process.