Bandura and Bobo

Observational Learning
Learning by observing

others. Also called

SOCIAL LEARNING.
Do we learn by

observing others?
What do we learn by
observing others?
Why is this important
from an evolutionary
perspective?

Social Learning Theory

The theory has often been called
a bridge between behaviorist and
cognitive learning theories

Bobo Doll Experiment

What is going on during the

experiment?
What does this experiment

prove?
Why do you think the violence

increased?
Do you think the results would

be the same if this experiment

was redone today?

Modelin
g

The process of
observing and
imitating a
specific
behavior.
When is
modeling most
powerful?

Necessary conditions for

effective MODELING:
Attention Ones characteristics (such as sensory

capacities, arousal level, perceptual set, past

reinforcement) affect attention.
Retention Remembering what you paid attention
to, including symbolic coding and rehearsal, mental
images, cognitive organization, motor rehearsal
Reproduction Being able to reproduce the
image, Including physical capabilities, and selfobservation of reproduction.
Motivation Includes having a good reason to
imitate.

Mirror
Neurons
Frontal lobe
neurons that fire
when performing
certain actions or
when observing
another doing so.
The brains
mirroring of
anothers action
may enable
imitation and
empathy.

Mirror Neurons
While the practical application of mirror

neurons are not fully realized or understood

yet, the very existence of such neurons hints
at the brain-behavior link for empathy and
observational learning.
Pain
Empathy

Prosocial Effect
Modeling can promote positive, constructive, helpful

behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior.

How can we see this effect in our society?

What effect do celebrities have on our society?
Movie Stars
Musicians
Athletes

Have you ever modeled your behavior after

someone?

Antisocial Effect
Abusive parents might have aggressive children
Repeated exposure to violence and antisocial

behavior on TV has a correlation with an increase in

Bullying
Easy Sex Untrue belief of no consequences
Reduced Empathy
Gender Stereotyping

Does TV cause society changes or does it reflect

society?

Crime Rates per 100,000

Violent Crimes
1990

729.60

1995

Murder
1990

9.4

1995

684.50

8.2

2000

506.50

2000

5.5

2005

469.60

2005

5.6

2009

429.40

2009

5.0