PSYC303 Week 5 Discussion

I need help with a Psychology question. All explanations and answers will be used to help me learn.

Below is a link to Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment, which is addressed in our course materials for the week. The experiment reminds us of the foundational makeup of social learning theory and the role observational learning may have in shaping behaviors.

For your initial post this week, think about the modeling steps in observational learning.

• Discuss the ways in which prosocial and antisocial learning affect one’s observational learning.

Think about how children and adults are influenced by behaviors and how they mimic actions of others.

• What are a few suggestions one can offer to help others be more cautious of their behaviors and how those behaviors can influence others in the role of observer?

Minimum 300 words answer

Classmate #1:

From a very young and I was an observational learner of both positive and negative conditions. Through years and years of watching my parents who were divorced since I was four, I learned things I did like, such as strength, determination, following through, multitasking, endurance, not complaining, working through the pain, discomfort is okay for the greater good, caring for the elderly, speaking respectfully, pay your bills, have a good credit score and integrity. Now you may think all of those things are odd to remember but there are more characteristics a standard observer would not know. I am German, Greek, Romanian, Hungarian and Polish. I am the first generation born in America, which means I was raised to a set of old world standards. The things I learned that I felt were negative, excessive drinking, spousal violence, be seen and not heard, how the floor feels to my face, how not to raise my kids, how not to leave your dog chained to a forgotten tree 365 days a year (I guess it was for intruder alert). Never EVER lie, be upstanding, do not shame your family. Very odd indeed if you compare it to standard American upbringing which is why the terms like millennial and entitled do not apply to our family.

I watched Banduras Bobo doll. I was surprised at the violence it incurred as well as the picking up of the gun and they definitely knew where to point it. I did not like the assumption was a natural one.

Whether the behavior are prosocial or antisocial, when you combine them with Observational learning, you get an enhanced version of either, a negative influence with the antisocial behaviors. Noone wants vandalism and loitering as the norm. They do not meet socially acceptable behaviors. Prosocial behavior such as volunteering at a nursing community or soup kitchen, carrying groceries or being a Hero. The key to observational learning is done by watching, imitating, and modeling behavior.

Classmate #2:

Prosocial behavior describes the voluntary actions of an individual or group of individuals that help another individual or group of individuals. Prosocial behavior includes acts such as comforting, helping or rescuing. Antisocial behavior reflects actions that are angry, aggressive and hostile towards an individual or individuals. When these two concepts are applied to learning, they can affect an individual’s observational learning process. The steps of successful learning include attention, retention, reproduction and motivation. What this means is, if an individual’s motivation gravitates towards prosocial or antisocial tendencies, then the way that they perceive another’s model behavior will shift based on their own motivations. As demonstrated in the video, children that witnessed aggressive and violent behavior modeled this same behavior. While children are still developing and defining their thoughts, feelings and appropriate emotional responses, if this type of behavior or deviance continues, this will dramatically impact their development as they mature.

In my opinion, one of the biggest things that we forget about is that our behaviors, feelings and emotions are always on display. Between social media, public spaces, work environments, etc. it is very difficult to be able to maintain privacy. With that being said, one suggestion I would have is to be aware of your surroundings when you are not alone. Children especially, are very observant and so, the type of language you use, the mannerisms that you display, are being watched. There are many examples, of groups of individuals that turn into mobs because of the influence of a few individuals’ behaviors. Due to that, another suggestion I would have, is be mindful of emotionally charged situations. As humans, we have passionate endeavors and strong values that do not always align with each other. Displaying or encouraging, violent or negative behaviors though can incite a dangerous situation that encourages others.

Classmate #3:

Hello class and Prof. M,

Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment reminds us of the foundational makeup of social learning theory and the role observational learning may have in shaping behaviors. The social learning theory is basically learning that happens by observing and imitating others. According to Module 5’s lesson, An individual would have to: pay attention to the modeled behavior, retain/remember the observed behavior, reproduce/perform the observed behavior and be motivated to want to do the behavior.

• Discuss the ways in which prosocial and antisocial learning affect one’s observational learning.

There are five generally agreed upon stages of child development: cognitive, social and emotional, speech and language, fine motor skill and gross motor skills. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a child development basics information states “Healthy development means that children of all abilities, including those with special health care needs, are able to grow up where their social, emotional and educational needs are being met. Having a loving home and spending time with family – playing, singing, reading and talking – are very important. Proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep can also make a big difference.” There are various milestones to show healthy development.

Children are likely to imitate what is modeled to them by parents, family and peers. Our lesson put it as “we tend to do what we know.” Prosocial behavior is generally seen as positive (reading, nutrition, exercise, sleeping, etc.) Antisocial behavior is violent or aggressive. Negative reinforcement, such as spanking, could cause a fear response. It is important to model the behavior (such as correction or conflict resolution) you want to continue or support.

Adults can mimic what they learned or choose a new path. It is easy to dip into a habit – so learning a new way can be harder (verbal or physical abuse, neglect must break the cycle). Healing from the past and choosing a new future are critical.

• What are a few suggestions one can offer to help others be more cautious of their behaviors and how those behaviors can influence others in the role of observer?

Check to see if they are applying a double standard. Ask “are you acting in a way that people can act like you and not get in trouble?” “Would you allow your child to talk to you this way?” “Would you talk to your boss like this?” “Would you be proud if this was on television?”

Help them process the emotions behind the behavior. “What about this situation makes you so angry?” Try to get to the underlying needs or unmet expectations. As the saying goes, hurt people hurt people. You can open a new way of living their life.

Thanks for reading!

Resources:

Child Development Basics. (2020). cdc.gov

Bobo Doll experiment (Bandura). (2010).