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Unlock This CourseAlbert Bandura revolutionised psychology in the 1960s with his Social Learning Theory, showing that people don't just learn through direct experience but also by watching others. This theory is particularly important when understanding how children develop prosocial behaviours - those helpful, caring actions that benefit others and society.
Unlike earlier theories that focused only on rewards and punishments, Bandura proved that simply observing someone else's behaviour could lead to learning. This discovery changed how we understand child development, education and even media influence.
Key Definitions:
Bandura's famous Bobo doll experiments showed that children who watched adults being aggressive towards a doll later copied that behaviour. But the same principle works for positive behaviours too - children who see adults being kind, helpful and caring are more likely to develop these prosocial traits themselves.
Bandura identified four essential stages that must occur for successful observational learning. Each stage plays a crucial role in whether a child will learn and later perform prosocial behaviours they've observed.
Before learning can happen, the observer must pay attention to the model's behaviour. Children are more likely to notice and focus on models who are:
Children pay more attention to models they find appealing or engaging, such as favourite teachers, popular peers, or beloved characters.
Models with authority or high social status, like parents, teachers, or celebrities, capture children's attention more effectively.
Children are more likely to attend to models who share characteristics with them, such as age, gender, or interests.
Once attention is captured, the observer must remember the behaviour. This involves storing the observed prosocial behaviour in memory through mental images and verbal descriptions. For example, a child might remember seeing their teacher comfort an upset classmate and store this as "when someone is sad, you can help by listening and being kind."
The observer must be physically and mentally capable of reproducing the behaviour. This stage involves converting the stored memories into actual actions. A young child might not be able to perfectly copy complex prosocial behaviours but can attempt simpler versions, like offering a toy to a crying peer.
Finally, the observer must be motivated to perform the behaviour. This motivation can come from seeing the model being rewarded (vicarious reinforcement) or from the observer's own internal desire to help others. Children are more likely to repeat prosocial behaviours when they see positive outcomes.
Researchers showed children videos of people helping others in various situations - returning lost wallets, helping elderly people cross roads and sharing food with those in need. Children who watched these prosocial models were significantly more likely to help others in real-life situations afterwards, demonstrating the power of observational learning in developing helping behaviours.
Understanding how children learn prosocial behaviours through observation has important implications for parents, teachers and society. Here are key areas where this knowledge is applied:
Parents who consistently model prosocial behaviours - helping neighbours, volunteering, showing kindness to strangers - raise children who are more likely to develop these same qualities. Family dinner conversations about helping others and community involvement also reinforce these values.
Teachers who demonstrate empathy, fairness and cooperation create classroom environments where prosocial behaviours flourish. Peer mentoring programmes and collaborative learning activities provide opportunities for positive modelling between students.
Just as Bandura's research showed that children can learn aggressive behaviours from media, they can also learn prosocial behaviours from positive media representations. Educational programmes, films and books that feature characters helping others, showing empathy and working together can promote similar behaviours in young viewers.
Research has shown that children who watch prosocial television programmes are more likely to engage in helping behaviours. Shows that feature characters sharing, cooperating and showing concern for others can effectively teach these values through observational learning.
Studies of children watching Sesame Street found that those who regularly viewed the programme showed increased prosocial behaviours compared to children who didn't watch it. The show's emphasis on cooperation, sharing and helping others provided consistent positive models for children to observe and imitate.
Several factors can increase the likelihood that children will learn and perform prosocial behaviours through observation:
Regular exposure to prosocial behaviours across different contexts strengthens learning and makes it more likely children will adopt these behaviours themselves.
When children see models being praised, thanked, or naturally rewarded for prosocial behaviours, they're more motivated to copy these actions.
Talking about observed prosocial behaviours and their impact helps children understand the value and importance of helping others.
While observational learning is powerful, it's important to understand its limitations. Not all observed behaviours are learned or performed and individual differences in personality, development and circumstances affect how children respond to prosocial models.
Children's temperament, age and personal experiences influence how they respond to prosocial modelling. Some children may be naturally more empathetic and responsive to others' needs, while others may need more explicit teaching and encouragement.
Researchers trained some children to model prosocial behaviours during playground activities - sharing equipment, including others in games and helping those who were hurt. Over several weeks, other children began copying these behaviours, leading to a more cooperative and inclusive playground environment. This study demonstrated how peer modelling can effectively promote prosocial behaviour in natural settings.
Understanding Bandura's theory provides practical strategies for encouraging prosocial behaviour in children:
Adults should consistently demonstrate the prosocial behaviours they want to see in children. This includes showing kindness, helping others and expressing empathy in daily interactions.
Share stories, books and real-life examples of people helping others. Discuss why these behaviours are important and how they make a difference in people's lives.
Bandura's Social Learning Theory shows us that children are constantly learning from what they observe around them. By understanding this process and deliberately providing positive prosocial models, we can help nurture the next generation to be more caring, helpful and cooperative members of society.