Over the past half century the mass media, including video games, have become important socializers of children. Observational learning theory has evolved into social-cognitive information processing models that explain that what a child observes in any venue has both short-term and long-term influences on the child's behaviors and cognitions. C.…

Investigates the extent to which family background (number of siblings and birth order) interacts with a willingness to copy aggressive behavior of others among 36 boys between 60 and 68 months old. Concludes that those from larger families were more willing aggressors and that birth order did not affect imitation. (JDH)

Imitative behavior in kindergarten children was either reinforced or not reinforced prior to seeing a male aggressive model. The children were tested for imitation and retention of the behaviors. Study provides support for both contiguity'' and generalized imitation'' theories of social modeling. (ST)

Observational learning requires exposure to modeling cues, acquisition of the ability to reproduce what is seen or heard, and acceptance of the model's behavior as a guide for one's own actions, as imitation, counter-imitation, disinhibition, or inhibition. In this overview paper, the author considers a large body of research, especially that…

Two experiments investigated the effects of physical contact imitative training and verbal contact imitative training on the degree to which first and second graders exhibited generalized imitative affectionate and aggressive behavior. The effects of punishment as well as extinction on imitative behavior were analyzed. (DP)

This study represents part of an extended research program designed to explore the various parameters of imaginative play in children and their relationship to the later development of daydreaming and various cognitive skills or personality characteristics. The specific focus of this investigation was on role of adult intervention represented…

This study examined the effects of differentially characterizing a model as "good", "bad", or "neutral" on preschool children's subsequent evaluation and imitation of the model. The model's aggressive and motor behaviors were more frequently imitated than were his non-aggressive and verbal behaviors. Instructions influenced the Ss' evaluation of…

Examines the role of modeling and social reciprocity in the regulation of young boys' aggressive actions. Tested in pairs, 100 first- and second-grade students were assigned to five experimental conditions differing in whether one or both boys saw a film depicting aggression directed toward persons or toward inanimate objects. (RH)

The developmental hypothesis that behavioral differences between subjects in the two temporal separation conditions would decline over grades was supported by the data. (Author)

This study tests the hypothesis that children who viewed videotaped aggression would imitate aggressive behaviors more frequently than would children who were not exposed to aggressive displays. A cognitive factor, reinforcement value, was also hypothesized to be a significant variable in the behavior of the children. Prior to treatment, subjects…

This paper reviews research on observational learning, including model characteristics and observers' responses, vicarious reinforcement as implicit punishment, vicarious effects on students with problem behavior, observers' other characteristics and vicarious effects, and aggression and vicarious processes. Regular class placement of students…

Analyzed the differences between heroes, other characters, and themes from the Roy Rogers television show of the 1950s, and the Brave Starr show of the 1980s. Found the modern hero more prosocial, cooperative, fearful, and self-critical. The modern villain was more hostile, negative, and successful against the hero. Discusses implications for…

The hypothesis that physical aggression in the family affects children's adjustment through both observational learning/modeling and through its impact on parenting was tested, via LISREL, using data from a sample of Canadian children (N=11,221). Results showed observational learning and disrupted parenting provide reasonable explanations of…

Since the publication of their seminal article entitled, "Transmission of Aggression Through Imitation of Aggressive Models" (Bandura, Ross, & Ross, 1961), the work of Albert Bandura and his co-authors has had an immeasurable impact on the field of psychology, in general, and educational psychology, more specifically. The purpose of this report is…

Discusses problems posed by television violence; how behavioral and social scientists became interested in television violence and its effects on children; how psychologists study relationships between television violence and behavior; how television violence can be counteracted by television industry, parents, and educators; and results from the…