1. Observational Learning

2. Observational Learning
Have you ever accidentally taught a small child a bad habit or some vocabulary they shouldn’t know yet?
Observational learning – Learning by observing others
Modeling – Process of observing and imitating a specific behavior
Monkey see, monkey do…

3. Albert Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment
Preschool children are brought to a room where they can work on a drawing. An adult (researcher) is in another part of the room building with tinker toys
With one group of children, the researcher did nothing more than play with the other toys
With a second group, the researcher gets up as the child watches and pounds, kicks, and punches the Bobo doll while yelling, “sock him in the nose…knock him down, kick him!”

4. Albert Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment
The child is then taken to another room filled with toys, BUT…
The researcher tells the child that she has decided to save these good toys for, “the other children” and brings the child into a third room with only a few toys and a bobo doll and then leaves
The now frustrated child is alone in the room with the bobo doll

6. https://www. youtube. com/watch. v=zerCK0lRjp8. https://www. youtube

7. Albert Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment
Compared with the other children in the study, those who viewed the model’s actions were much ore likely to lash out at the doll.
Children were imitating the very acts they have observed and used the very words they had heard
Why??

8. What determines whether we imitate a model through observational learning?
The adult researcher acted as a model to the children
Adult received no punishment for beating up the bobo doll
Children anticipated that they too would receive no punishment
Children generally “look up to” adults
The researcher is perceived as successful/admirable or even similar to the children themselves

9. Mirrors in the Brain
1991- Laboratory monkey had electrodes implanted in his brain next to its motor cortex in the frontal cortex of the brain
This area of the brain enables us to plan and carry out movements
The electrodes were hooked up to a monitor that buzzed when this area of the brain showed activity
If the monkey moved to put a peanut in its mouth, the monitor buzzed
If the monkey walked/hopped across its cage the monitor buzzed, etc.

11. Mirror Neurons
Eventually, this led to the discovery of mirror neurons – neurons that fire when we perform certain actions and when we observe others performing those actions
When a monkey grasps or holds something, mirror neurons fire
When a monkey watches someone else grab or hold something, mirror neurons also fire

12. Mirror Neurons in Humans
In humans, the applications of mirror neurons reach far and wide in our behaviors
Social norms (greetings, common phrases, etc.)
Vices (drinking alcohol is usually observed first)
Ceremonies (when to sit, stand, etc.)
Fashion choices (name brands, skirts, shorts, sunglasses)
Mirror neurons are also prevalent in areas of the brain that process emotion and pain
When you see someone get hurt, or see a spider crawl on them, don’t you react as if it’s happening to you?

14. Prosocial Effects of Observational Learning
The good news is that prosocial behavior models can have prosocial effects. Whatever positive activities children see, they will be likely to imitate
If you want your kids to read, read to them.
Nonviolent, helpful behavior like those of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
Those who helped Jewish people escape Nazi’s during WWII were found to usually have at least one parent with a strong moral or humanitarian concern. This was also true for the civil rights activists in the 1960s (London, 1970; Oliner & Oliner, 1988)

15. Antisocial Effects of Observational Learning
Study after study shows that young monkeys reared apart their mothers and subjected to high levels of aggression grew up to be aggressive themselves (Chamove, 1980).
Sometimes, those who witness physical abuse as a chilren end up being abusers themselves
Television programs teach powerful lessons to young observers
Children may “learn” that bullying is an effective way of controlling others
Before finishing elementary school, children will have witness between 8, ,000 TV murders and 100,000 other violent acts
Does this lead to more violence in real life???

16. On your PowerPoint note paper…
What emotions did you feel after watching the video?
How did the video make you feel physically — relaxed? Tense?

17. Call of Duty: Black Ops Trailer
What emotions did you feel after watching the video?
How did the video make you feel physically — relaxed? Tense?

18. Based on this experience, can you make any generalizations about how observing different types of media can affect your mood? Why or why not?
Do you think your response would change if we actually interacted with the videos in some way, instead of just watching, like when playing a video game?

19. Violent Video Games Do you ever play violent video games?
Have you played video games that are meant only for players over age 17?
Is it hard for minors to access these games?
Do you believe that violent video games should not be sold to minors?