Observational Learning + Personal Control

observational learning

learning by observing others

modeling

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

• think dance lesson

Albert Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment

• tests childrens’ behavior through their temptation and love for toys

  • taking away toys they love for Bobo dolls

• children not exposed to adult model — lashed out

What did AB learn from the Bobo Doll experiment

the experiment has to do with vicarious reinforcements and vicarious punishments

“we are, in truth, more than half what we are by imitation”

mirror neurons

frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when we perform certain actions or observe another doing so. the brain’s mirroring of anothers’ actions may enable imitation and empathy

prosocial effects

positive, constructive, helpful behavior

the opposite of antisocial behavior

prosocial effects examples

• being trained by experienced workers

• serving others (donating, acts of kindness, parents)

antisocial effects

negative and aggressive behavior influenced by genetics and environment

the opposite of prosocial behavior

antisocial effects examples

• abuse

• observation of violence, violent media

what are the effects of viewing violent media?

• can contribute to aggression and easy agitation

  • prompted by imitation and desensitization to violence

• viewers became more violent and less compassionate the more violence they observe

problem-focused coping

attempting to alleviate stress directly — by changing the stressor or the way we interact with that stressor

problem-focused coping examples

impatience leads to family fighting

• we may go directly to that family member to work things out

emotion-focused coping

attempting to alleviate stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor and attending to emotional needs related to our stress reaction

emotion-focused coping examples

(despite efforts) cannot get along with a family member

• may relieve stress by reaching out to friends for support and comfort

personal control

our sense of controlling our environment rather than feeling helplessness

• influences our ability to cope

external locus of control

the perception that chance or outside forces beyond our personal control determine our fate

internal locus of control

the perception that we control our fate

what differences were noted in people with these different perceptions of control?

1. “internals” in school worked more independently, achieved more, and had better mental and physical health than the “externals”

2. internal control at age 10 exhibited less obesity, lower blood pressure, and less stress than at 30

self-control

the ability to control impulses and delay short term gratification for greater long-term rewards

self-control is a predictor of…

• good health

• higher income

• better school performance