Observational Learning Psychology

We acquire knowledge and skills by observing and imitating others. We acquire knowledge and skills by observing and imitating others. Also known as social learning Also known as social learning Examples: Examples: Learning a new language. Learning a new language. Dancing or Sports Dancing or Sports Social behaviors Social behaviors Cooking Cooking

Observational Learning Albert Bandura- Psychologist credited with effects of media on children through the use of the Bobo Doll experiment. Albert Bandura- Psychologist credited with effects of media on children through the use of the Bobo Doll experiment.

The Bobo Doll Experiment Bandura had children watch a film in which an adult hit a Bobo doll aggressively Bandura had children watch a film in which an adult hit a Bobo doll aggressively There were 3 groups of children: There were 3 groups of children: The first group saw the adult being rewarded for his behavior The first group saw the adult being rewarded for his behavior The second group saw the adult being punished The second group saw the adult being punished The last group saw the adult receive no consequences. The last group saw the adult receive no consequences.

The children were then put into a room full of toys that they could not touch; Many children became angry The children were then put into a room full of toys that they could not touch; Many children became angry They were then placed into a second room full of toys including the Bobo doll They were then placed into a second room full of toys including the Bobo doll The children who saw the adult being aggressive and rewarded, were more likely to imitate the behavior The children who saw the adult being aggressive and rewarded, were more likely to imitate the behavior Those who saw the male being punished were less likely to imitate the aggressive behavior Those who saw the male being punished were less likely to imitate the aggressive behavior

However, the children who saw the male receive no consequences were also more likely to imitate the aggressive behavior However, the children who saw the male receive no consequences were also more likely to imitate the aggressive behavior The children thought “nothing bad will happen this time” The children thought “nothing bad will happen this time” Albert Bandura Albert Bandura Albert Bandura Albert Bandura

Effects of Media on Children

What are we learning? Children see Children do Children see Children do Children see Children do Children see Children do Beyonce and baby Beyonce and baby Beyonce and baby Beyonce and baby Onslaught Onslaught Onslaught Big Daddy Big Daddy Big Daddy Big Daddy Mean Girls Syndrome Mean Girls Syndrome Mean Girls Syndrome Mean Girls Syndrome

Types of Media Television Television Music and music videos Music and music videos Video games Video games

Content Analysis 67% of TV shows are violent. 67% of TV shows are violent. Violence is on the rise for both Cable and broadcast networks Violence is on the rise for both Cable and broadcast networks 14% increase in the last decade 14% increase in the last decade Few shows emphasize an anti-violence theme Few shows emphasize an anti-violence theme 40% of violent scenes on TV include humor 40% of violent scenes on TV include humor 54% of the violence is lethal 54% of the violence is lethal 51% of the violence shows no pain 51% of the violence shows no pain Of 9,000 shows analyzed over 4 years, only 4% employed an anti-violent theme Of 9,000 shows analyzed over 4 years, only 4% employed an anti-violent theme

More Stats… Children will see 200,000 violent acts on TV by the time they turn 18. Children will see 200,000 violent acts on TV by the time they turn 18. Between the ages of 2-17, children will watch an average of 25 hours of TV per week or 3 1/2 hours of TV per day. Between the ages of 2-17, children will watch an average of 25 hours of TV per week or 3 1/2 hours of TV per day. How much do you watch? How much do you watch?

This applies to adults as well… Psychologists urge us to not watch too much news. Psychologists urge us to not watch too much news. People who watch a lot of news (especially local) tend to be more afraid of the city they live in. People who watch a lot of news (especially local) tend to be more afraid of the city they live in. After all, “If it bleeds, it leads”. After all, “If it bleeds, it leads”.

Short Term effects Viewer Aggression Viewer Aggression Fear Fear Desensitization Desensitization

Viewer Aggression Recent studies find that children who watch violent TV are at an increased risk for aggression. Recent studies find that children who watch violent TV are at an increased risk for aggression. Even adults show increased aggression and anti-social behavior with exposure to violent media. Even adults show increased aggression and anti-social behavior with exposure to violent media. s s

Fear Kids who watch a lot of TV are more likely to exhibit symptoms of anxiety, trauma, and post- traumatic stress disorder than low TV watchers. Kids who watch a lot of TV are more likely to exhibit symptoms of anxiety, trauma, and post- traumatic stress disorder than low TV watchers. When kids watch scary events in the media they become more likely to fear it in real life. When kids watch scary events in the media they become more likely to fear it in real life. Fear induced in childhood is likely to linger into adulthood. Fear induced in childhood is likely to linger into adulthood.

Desensitization People can be affected negatively even after a minimal exposure to media violence. People can be affected negatively even after a minimal exposure to media violence. As a result some individuals experience a greater acceptance of violence and a decrease in empathy and concern for victims of violence. As a result some individuals experience a greater acceptance of violence and a decrease in empathy and concern for victims of violence.

Other Effects Studies show that children who excessively watch TV: Have lower grades in school Have lower grades in school Read fewer books Read fewer books Exercise less Exercise less Are overweight Are overweight

T.V may also lead to: Early Sexuality or promiscuous behavior Early Sexuality or promiscuous behavior Use of drugs and alcohol Use of drugs and alcohol Delayed language development Delayed language development Less social interaction Less social interaction When TV is introduced to a country the crime rates in that country go up When TV is introduced to a country the crime rates in that country go up

Something to think about… Most popular TV shows Most popular TV shows No. 1- NCIS, followed closely by: No. 1- NCIS, followed closely by: The Walking Dead The Walking Dead Criminal Minds Criminal Minds Orange is the New Black Orange is the New Black Breaking Bad Breaking Bad Hannibal Hannibal The Following The Following

Something to think about… Popular, family friendly shows of 2013 Popular, family friendly shows of 2013 The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Modern Family Modern Family The Voice The Voice

Nearly 10 years ago… 2005-The most family friendly show 2005-The most family friendly show “Extreme Makeover: Home “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Edition” The worst family show…. The worst family show…. “Desperate Housewives” “Desperate Housewives”

In the 90’s Best Family show Best Family show ”Touched by Angel” ”Touched by Angel” Worst Family Show Worst Family Show “Married with Children” “Married with Children”

It’s Not Just Violence We Learn When the TV Show “Friends” was introduced to Fiji, anorexic rates skyrocketed there. When the TV Show “Friends” was introduced to Fiji, anorexic rates skyrocketed there.

What happened to…..? Shows like “The Cosby Show” “Family Ties” “Growing Pains” “Boy Meets World”

What about movies… Are there more violent movies than TV shows? Are there more violent movies than TV shows? What about kid’s movies? What about kid’s movies?

Violent Movies Copycat Killings Copycat Killings Columbine High School Columbine High School Perpetrators claimed this Was their favorite movie.

Popular Movies 2014 (so far)- Captain America, Divergent 2014 (so far)- Captain America, Divergent Iron Man 3, Hunger Games: Catching Fire Iron Man 3, Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Popular Movies Spiderman 2, Harry Potter Spiderman 2, Harry Potter 3

Popular Movies Forrest Gump, Lion King Forrest Gump, Lion King

Popular Movies Beverly Hills Cop, Ghost Busters Beverly Hills Cop, Ghost Busters

Popular Movies Blazing Saddles, Towering Inferno Blazing Saddles, Towering Inferno

Popular Movies 1964-Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady 1964-Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady

Video Games Violent video games- induce a physiological reaction Violent video games- induce a physiological reaction Release of adrenalin  heightened heart rates, respiration rate, blood pressure Release of adrenalin  heightened heart rates, respiration rate, blood pressure Emotional reaction Emotional reaction Feel, think, and behave more aggressively, impulsively Feel, think, and behave more aggressively, impulsively Cognitively Cognitively Rewarded for repetitive, violent actions Rewarded for repetitive, violent actions

Video Games

Something to Think About… Video games twenty years ago Video games twenty years ago

Are we all going to be violent? No! No! We make our own decisions We make our own decisions Only a few, out of the millions of people turn out bad Only a few, out of the millions of people turn out bad BUT, it still effects our behaviors and thinking processes BUT, it still effects our behaviors and thinking processes Still important to be wary (especially for young children) of the massive amounts of violence we are exposed to every day Still important to be wary (especially for young children) of the massive amounts of violence we are exposed to every day