Observational Learning - Observational Learning and Effects On Children

Observational Learning and Effects On Children

There has been much debate in regards to whether or not children are more prone to learn more from the same sex model or opposite sex model. A study examined this hypothesis, whereby 118 boys and girls in grades three and four were examined by cue cards. The cue cards displayed tools, household articles, and game. The child and/ or participant were tested by the same sex; and based on their response,the child was given a score which classified he or she into one of four conditions; masculine boy, feminine boy, masculine girl, feminine girl. Participants were then brought into a spare room, to watch a film involving an adult male and an adult female. After watching the film, the participants were asked to recall the adult models’ behaviour, which was then recorded by a checklist. The research found that the original hypothesis was supported. Results showed that boys demonstrated a stronger tendency to recall more of the male models behaviour, whereas girls recalled an equal amount of each adult’s behavior. The author found that children might learn more from a male model as oppose to a female model because males are generally perceived as possessing a higher social powers. Therefore, while boys are not only being encouraged and rewarded for imitating a man role, they also view men as more powerful and therefore are highly motivated to learn from male models.