Anyone who has observed or played with young children probably has noticed how they imitate what they see--their friends, siblings, parents, and teachers; television, movie, and book characters; and sometimes even their family pets. Frequently, this imitation can help children learn appropriate behaviors, attitudes, and thinking patterns.…

Attempts to define and clarify the concept of response uncertainty of the observer in imitation through a review of research on imitation. (CM)

Replicated a New York City study of completed suicides by persons 19 years old or younger, in metropolitan districts of Ohio, Texas and California, following broadcast of four fictional television films on suicide. Found the impact of movies varied by metropolitan area. Analyzed geographic differences in suicide response, emphasizing that…

Mentoring provides both a holistic and individualized approach to learning. A mentor-protege relationship also serves various professions by the teaching and learning of relevant skills and values. Proteges learn risk-taking behaviors, communication skills, political skills, and specific skills from their mentors. (DF)

Current writings on death and dying are trichotomized into prescientific, quasi-scientific, and scientific. Research findings should not be treated as equally valid; some methods may be used to supply hypotheses, others to test them, and still others to further validate the previous findings. (Author)

Investigating the effect of age and temporal placement of a modelled skill on performance of a balance task of 60 boys (seven and nine years old) indicated significant effects of age, temporal appearance of the model, and an interaction of model by age for time on-balance. (Author/PN)

The effects of model age and competence on the imitation behavior of 80 educable mentally retarded boys (mean age 12.2 years) were investigated. (Author/PHR)

Appraises the respective contribution of initial competence and of imitation of modeled response in the observational learning of conservation among first grade children. (HOD)

Reviews literature on effects of being imitated and the social influence function of imitation, plus related literature on conformity from social psychology. Considers this research within a number of theoretical contexts, especially within the conceptual framework of effectance motivation. Suggests imitation may facilitate mastery and control of…

Describes an activity in which students observe pairs of students engaged in conversation. Observations of "body language" are made, shifts in stance, and duration of stance. Discusses the application of this type of study to other species. (TW)

The paper defines and discusses various social learning theories. Central to most theories of how an individual acquires socially acceptable behaviors are the processes of imitation, or observational learning, and identification, or modeling. The effectiveness of each process is noted. (SB)