Observational LearningObservational Learning

Psychology Psychology

Observational LearningObservational Learning

We acquire knowledge and skills by We acquire knowledge and skills by observing and imitating others.observing and imitating others.

Also known as social learningAlso known as social learningExamples:Examples:

Learning a new language.Learning a new language.Dancing or SportsDancing or SportsSocial behaviorsSocial behaviorsCookingCooking

Observational LearningObservational Learning

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

The Bobo Doll ExperimentThe Bobo Doll Experiment

Bandura had children watch a film in Bandura had children watch a film in which an adult hit a Bobo doll which an adult hit a Bobo doll aggressivelyaggressively

There were 3 groups of children: There were 3 groups of children: The first group saw the adult being The first group saw the adult being

rewarded for his behaviorrewarded for his behaviorThe second group saw the adult being The second group saw the adult being

punishedpunishedThe last group saw the adult receive no The last group saw the adult receive no

consequences. consequences.

The children were then put into a The children were then put into a room full of toys that they could not room full of toys that they could not touch; Many children became angrytouch; Many children became angry

They were then placed into a second They were then placed into a second room full of toys including the Bobo room full of toys including the Bobo dolldoll

The children who saw the adult being The children who saw the adult being aggressive and rewarded, were more aggressive and rewarded, were more likely to imitate the behaviorlikely to imitate the behavior

Those who saw the male being Those who saw the male being punished were less likely to imitate punished were less likely to imitate the aggressive behaviorthe aggressive behavior

However, the children who saw the However, the children who saw the male receive no consequences were male receive no consequences were also more likely to imitate the also more likely to imitate the aggressive behavioraggressive behavior

The children thought “nothing bad The children thought “nothing bad will happen this time”will happen this time”

Albert BanduraAlbert Bandura

Effects of Media on Effects of Media on ChildrenChildren

What are we learning? What are we learning?

Children see Children doChildren see Children doBeyonce and babyBeyonce and babyOnslaughtOnslaughtBig DaddyBig DaddyMean Girls SyndromeMean Girls Syndrome

Types of MediaTypes of Media

TelevisionTelevisionMusic and music videosMusic and music videosVideo gamesVideo games

Content AnalysisContent Analysis

67% of TV shows are violent.67% of TV shows are violent. Violence is on the rise for both Cable and Violence is on the rise for both Cable and

broadcast networksbroadcast networks 14% increase in the last decade14% increase in the last decade

Few shows emphasize an anti-violence Few shows emphasize an anti-violence themetheme

40% of violent scenes on TV include humor40% of violent scenes on TV include humor 54% of the violence is lethal54% of the violence is lethal 51% of the violence shows no pain51% of the violence shows no pain Of 9,000 shows analyzed over 4 years, only Of 9,000 shows analyzed over 4 years, only

4% employed an anti-violent theme4% employed an anti-violent theme

More Stats…More Stats…

Children will see 200,000 violent acts Children will see 200,000 violent acts on TV by the time they turn 18. on TV by the time they turn 18.

Between the ages of 2-17, children Between the ages of 2-17, children will watch an average of 25 hours of will watch an average of 25 hours of TV per week or 3 1/2 hours of TV per TV per week or 3 1/2 hours of TV per day. day.

How much do you watch?How much do you watch?

This applies to adults as This applies to adults as well…well…

Psychologists urge us to not watch Psychologists urge us to not watch too much news. too much news.

People who watch a lot of news People who watch a lot of news (especially local) tend to be more (especially local) tend to be more afraid of the city they live in. afraid of the city they live in.

After all, “If it bleeds, it leads”. After all, “If it bleeds, it leads”.

Short Term effectsShort Term effects

Viewer AggressionViewer AggressionFearFearDesensitizationDesensitization

Viewer AggressionViewer Aggression

Recent studies find that children who Recent studies find that children who watch violent TV are at an increased watch violent TV are at an increased risk for aggression.risk for aggression.

Even adults show increased Even adults show increased aggression and anti-social behavior aggression and anti-social behavior with exposure to violent media.with exposure to violent media.

                                          ss

FearFear

Kids who watch a lot of TV are more likely Kids who watch a lot of TV are more likely to exhibit symptoms of anxiety, trauma, to exhibit symptoms of anxiety, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder than and post-traumatic stress disorder than low TV watchers.low TV watchers.

When kids watch scary events in the When kids watch scary events in the media they become more likely to fear it media they become more likely to fear it in real life.in real life.

Fear induced in childhood is likely to linger Fear induced in childhood is likely to linger into adulthood.into adulthood.

DesensitizationDesensitization

People can be affected negatively People can be affected negatively even after a minimal exposure to even after a minimal exposure to media violence.media violence.

As a result some individuals As a result some individuals experience a greater acceptance of experience a greater acceptance of violence and a decrease in empathy violence and a decrease in empathy and concern for victims of violence.and concern for victims of violence.

Other EffectsOther Effects

Studies show that children who Studies show that children who excessively watch TV:excessively watch TV:

Have lower grades in schoolHave lower grades in schoolRead fewer booksRead fewer booksExercise lessExercise lessAre overweightAre overweight

T.V may also lead to:T.V may also lead to:

Early Sexuality or promiscuous Early Sexuality or promiscuous behaviorbehavior

Use of drugs and alcoholUse of drugs and alcoholDelayed language development Delayed language development Less social interactionLess social interactionWhen TV is introduced to a country When TV is introduced to a country

the crime rates in that country go upthe crime rates in that country go up

Something to think about….Something to think about….2013- Most popular TV shows 2013- Most popular TV shows

No. 1- NCIS, followed closely by: No. 1- NCIS, followed closely by: The Walking DeadThe Walking DeadCriminal MindsCriminal MindsOrange is the New Black Orange is the New Black Breaking Bad Breaking Bad Hannibal Hannibal The FollowingThe Following

Something to think about…Something to think about…

Popular, family friendly shows of Popular, family friendly shows of 20132013The Big Bang TheoryThe Big Bang TheoryDuck DynastyDuck DynastyModern FamilyModern FamilyThe VoiceThe Voice

Nearly 10 years ago…Nearly 10 years ago… 2005-The most family 2005-The most family

friendly showfriendly show

“ “Extreme Extreme Makeover: Home Makeover: Home

Edition”Edition”

The worst family The worst family show….show….

“ “Desperate Desperate Housewives”Housewives”

In the 90’sIn the 90’s

1996- Best Family show 1996- Best Family show

” ”Touched by Angel”Touched by Angel”

Worst Family ShowWorst Family Show

“ “Married with Children”Married with Children”

It’s Not Just Violence We It’s Not Just Violence We LearnLearn

When the TV Show “Friends” was When the TV Show “Friends” was introduced to Fiji, anorexic rates introduced to Fiji, anorexic rates skyrocketed there. skyrocketed there.

What happened to…..?What happened to…..?Shows likeShows like

““The Cosby Show” The Cosby Show”

““Family Ties”Family Ties”

““Growing Pains”Growing Pains”

““Boy Meets World”Boy Meets World”

What about movies…What about movies…

Are there more violent movies than Are there more violent movies than TV shows? TV shows?

What about kid’s movies?What about kid’s movies?

Violent MoviesViolent Movies

Copycat KillingsCopycat KillingsColumbine High SchoolColumbine High School

Perpetrators claimed this Perpetrators claimed this

Was their favorite movie. Was their favorite movie.

Popular MoviesPopular Movies

2014 (so far)- Captain America, 2014 (so far)- Captain America, DivergentDivergent

2013- Iron Man 3, Hunger Games: 2013- Iron Man 3, Hunger Games: Catching FireCatching Fire

Popular MoviesPopular Movies

2004- Spiderman 2, Harry Potter 32004- Spiderman 2, Harry Potter 3

Popular Movies Popular Movies

1994- Forrest Gump, Lion King1994- Forrest Gump, Lion King

Popular MoviesPopular Movies

1984- Beverly Hills Cop, Ghost 1984- Beverly Hills Cop, Ghost BustersBusters

Popular MoviesPopular Movies

1974- Blazing Saddles, Towering 1974- Blazing Saddles, Towering InfernoInferno

Popular MoviesPopular Movies

1964-Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady1964-Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady

Video GamesVideo Games

Violent video games- induce a Violent video games- induce a physiological reactionphysiological reactionRelease of adrenalin Release of adrenalin heightened heightened

heart rates, respiration rate, blood heart rates, respiration rate, blood pressurepressure

Emotional reactionEmotional reactionFeel, think, and behave more Feel, think, and behave more

aggressively, impulsivelyaggressively, impulsivelyCognitivelyCognitively

Rewarded for repetitive, violent actions Rewarded for repetitive, violent actions

Video GamesVideo Games

Something to Think About…Something to Think About…

Video games twenty years agoVideo games twenty years ago

Are we all going to be Are we all going to be violent?violent?

No! No! We make our own decisionsWe make our own decisionsOnly a few, out of the millions of people Only a few, out of the millions of people

turn out badturn out badBUT, it still effects our behaviors and BUT, it still effects our behaviors and

thinking processes thinking processes Still important to be wary (especially for Still important to be wary (especially for

young children) of the massive amounts young children) of the massive amounts of violence we are exposed to every dayof violence we are exposed to every day