1. Observational Learning
Music Video Time!
I’m going to show you two music videos. All you have to do is watch them!
Foster the People
“Pumped Up Kicks”
Robin Thicke
“Blurred Lines”

2. What is Observational Learning?
Learning by observing and emulating the actions of others through mimicking
Also called social learning
Can be prosocial (positive, constructive, helpful behavior) or antisocial
Prosocial modeling is most effective when actions and words are consistent!
Your coach shows you how to properly swing a baseball bat.
You watch a violent action movie on TV,
then go out and commit a robbery???

3. Historical Examples Prosocial Behavior Antisocial Behavior
Non-violent resistance as a means of peaceful demonstration
1991 Rodney King beating causing Los Angeles race riots
Sesame Street teaches kids how to behave and learn
Columbine shooters inspired by “Doom” and other violent video games
Other Examples???
Other Examples???

4. Bobo Doll Study
In 1961, Albert Bandura conducted an observational learning study
Kids aged 3-6 watched a video of a man either being nice or cruel to a Bobo Doll
Kids were then placed in the room with the Bobo Doll where the majority mimicked the behavior they had seen in the video
Modeling – The process of performing a behavior which is observed at copied by others
Role Models – Parent, sibling, sports or entertainment figure, friend, pastor, etc.
Bobo Doll Video

5. Everyday examples
PARENTING
PARTY BEHAVIOR
DANCE CLASSES

6. Everyday examples NEW JOBS / JOB SHADOWING FASHION TRENDS
MOVIES AND TV

7. PARENTS FOR ‘RELATIONSHIP SCRIPTS’
Everyday examples
PARENTS FOR ‘RELATIONSHIP SCRIPTS’

8. Everyday examples CARTOONS?
Click the picture to see examples of cartoon violence
CARTOONS?

9. Music Lyrics So… what were the two songs about you listened to before?
Foster the People
“Pumped Up Kicks”
Robin Thicke
“Blurred Lines”

10. He'll look around the room He wont tell you his plan He's got a rolled cigarette Hanging out his mouth He's a cowboy kid Yeah he found a six-shooter gun In his dad's closet, in the box of fun things I don't even know what But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you All the other kids with the pumped up kicks You better run, better run, outrun my gun All the other kids with the pumped up kicks You better run, better run, faster than my bullet. Daddy works a long day He be coming home late, and he's coming home late. And he's bringing me a surprise 'cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice I've waited for a long time. Yeah the sleight of my hand is now a quick-pull trigger I reason with my cigarette, Then say, "Your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah?"
Foster the People
“Pumped Up Kicks”
This song is about a kid planning to carry out a school shooting

11. (PARTIAL LYRICS; too many to fit)
Ok, now he was close Tried to domesticate you But you're an animal Baby, it's in your nature Just let me liberate you You don't need no papers That man is not your maker And that's why I'm gon' take a
Good girl I know you want it You're a good girl Can't let it get past me You're far from plastic Talk about getting blasted I hate these blurred lines I know you But you're a good girl The way you
Must wanna get Go ahead, get at me
Hustle Gang Homie One thing I ask of you Lemme be the one you up to From Malibu to Paris boo Had a , but she ain't bad as you So, hit me up when you pass through I'll give you
Robin Thicke
“Blurred Lines”
This song is about a man trying to coerce a woman into sex even though she’s resisting
Nothin’ like your last guy, he too square for you He don’t
So I’m just watching and waitin’ For you to salute the true ’ I’m a nice guy, but don’t get confused, this ++++’ Shake your Get +++++, Do it
What you don’t like work Hey! Baby, can you breathe I got this from Jamaica It always works for me

12. Class Discussion
What effect do you think aggressive depictions in the media have on viewers?
One theory is that we watch aggressive television as a ‘cathartic’ experience, to relieve built up tension and aggression in a safe manner. Do you think this is valid or not and why?
The American rating system tends to give harsher ratings to movies that depict sexual situations rather than violence. Given what we know about observational learning, how do you feel about this?
Do you think that suggestive, sexual, or violent music lyrics are applicable to observational learning as well? Why or why not?
Many of the studies we have done are recorded in laboratory settings. How much do you think these findings can transfer over to real world settings
As future parents, how will you utilize the theories of observational learning in raising your children?