Module 10 Post 1

After reading this chapter, observational, imitating, and environmental learning became much more clear. One who is modeling something, the performer, performs the behavior that is to be imitated by others. To have be effective with an audience, does it have relevance, competence, high status, and gender appropriateness?  This reminded me of how Michael Phelps, after winning eight gold medals in 2008 had endorsement deals to stand for their company to sell for their product. Because Michael was a positive role model, every kid wanted to be a swimmer and be like him. He not only had high status, but very relevant to children wanting to be an athlete. A picture was leaked of him smoking a bong. This was a behavior that companies that targeted kids and a healthy lifestyle did NOT want to be part of. Kellogg, along with other majors companies dropped him as a client. Imitators must be attentive, have retention, production, and motivation. Lets say Johny, who is eight wants to be like Michael Phelps (before drug use,) and he watches the Olympics at home. He replays Michaels swims over and over, the next day in class that’s all he talks about at recess(retention). His mom signed him up for swim club at the country club. He begins to swim laps at the pool instead of playing games with the other children his age. (production) Though he doesn’t perform at the same level at an Olympian, he wants to strive to be the best he can be.

I am not completely confident on the response facilitation effect, and response inhibition, when would it be appropriate to use?

I think learning occurs when the model of action has the attention of the imitator, an action that can be both retained and produced by the imitator, and has motivation to try it again. I think that this theory could definitely be used for teaching a sport. How the boy wanted to be like Michael Phelps, and modeled the behavior to strive to be like him. Teachers could show celebrities who are a positive role model, and inspire and gain their attention by watching clips of them doing great things.

I think individuals, and a society both impact how you learn in a great deal. Social Economic Status plays a huge role, does your school corporation have the resource and funding to maintain a healthy school environment? Can you go on field trips? Are your teachers top notch or paid less than normal? The attitude that surrounds the school influences the child’s perspective on learning and growing. If a child who has two intelligent parents who have put their child in a private prestigious elementary and middle school, then for high school they go to the public schools. The whole culture of the school would be completely different. The child may be in culture shock and not perceive some kids as intelligent because they don’t have a dress code or speak formally.