THE EFFECT OF REHEARSAL DELAY ON LONG-TERM IMITATION OF FILMED AGGRESSION

An experiment is described which investigates the effect of rehearsal delay on long‐term imitation of a film model. The hypothesis tested was that a delay in the opportunity to imitate a film model would result in a reduction of imitation, ‘flitting’ and range of activities during play in the stimulus situation. One group of children played immediately after exposure to the film, a second after a delay of one day, a third after one week. All groups returned after an interval of seven days, and again after 4–5 months. The hypotheses were not accepted; the film influenced behaviour whatever the delay, but it was noted that the general effect of the films on activity level was less marked during the second session in the experimental situation, and increased after a few months' interval. The long‐term effect of the film model was noted, and it was observed that at this time retention of the film model's behaviour was not related to imitative behaviour.