Case Study #4

The Case of Joe and Blake

1. How would Bandura’s theory explain the similarities between Joe’s and Blake’s behaviors?

Bandura’s social cognitive theory says that people can learn behavior from other people
through observation, imitation, and modeling. Social cognitive theory could explain the similarity
between Joe’s and Blake’s behavior by recognizing that Joe’s behavior is learned from
observing his father, Blake. This is what we call, observational or vicarious learning.
Observational learning allows people to learn other people’s behavior without performing the
behavior beforehand. Joe mimics what his fathers does and says. Joe reproduces the behavior
of his father. For example, Joe usually just drops his belongings like his bag and coat at the
kitchen door after arriving from school. This leads to Joe forgetting where he had put the things
he needs. This behavior is just like his father’s in which Blake tends to forget his wallet since he
usually just drops his things wherever he is standing. Dropping things anywhere is one behavior
that Joe had observed and learned through the behavior of his father, Blake. Another example
is the mannerisms and phrases that Joe has learned from observing his father. They usually get
out of sticky situations with Evonne by charming her with their jokes and compliments. They
also say the same phrases like “special night!” or “libation” during certain situations. They both
have these behaviors because Joe learned these behaviors through the observation of his
father, Blake. 

In addition, Bandura’s theory is most effective in a relationship between a child and their
parents. The parents have a significant influence on the behavior of their children since they are
the ones that the child usually sees. The child can observe, imitate, and model their parents.
The child can most likely imitate and observe the behavior of the same sex parent. This tells us
on why Joe most likely imitates behavior since they have the same sex. Moreover, the observed
individual is considered as a model. It could be said that Blake, his father, is the model of Joe.
Observational or vicarious learning tells us further on how the theory would explain the
similarities between Joe’s and Blake’s behavior.

2. According to Bandura’s theory, what factors determine whether or not we will learn from a
model? Choose an illustrative example from the case to expound on your response.

Modeling is the core of observational learning, which involves the cognitive process, and
it is more than imitation of the model. According to Bandura’s theory, three factors determine
whether we learn from a model or not in any situations. These factors are the characteristics of
the model, characteristics of the observer, and the consequences of the modeled behavior.

First, the characteristics of the model are important since it is more favorable to model
the ones who are more desirable. In the case, the model of Joe is his father, Blake. Blake
seems to be a high-status or a desirable person to model. A father, as well as a mother, tends
to be a figure who is highly respected in the household. In our language, we all know that “ang
ama ay ang haligi ng tahanan,” which further explains how a father usually is the head of
household. It is said that the parent of the same sex is more likely to be modeled by the child.
With this status, Joe most likely models behaviors from his father. In addition, Blake can be
described as a computer geek since he and his peers usually work on their home computer,
which was observed by Joe when he was younger. This tells us that Blake is skilled in this
specific field, which makes him more desirable to be modeled. His characteristics are good
enough to be modeled since he has the skills and the power. Second, the characteristics of the
observer are important as it may affect the likelihood of getting modeled. The ones who do not
have the skills, power, or status may likely model. In this case, Joe is the observer. Joe is still a
child. He is just eight years old, which means he is still starting in life. A child model more than
older people. Joe models his father who is skilled. It can be said that he lacks the skills, power,
and status with his age. That is why, he may want to learn more things in his life by having a
model in his father. Third, the consequences of the modeled behavior are important because
rewards increase the likelihood of getting acquired and punishments decrease it. The value of
the consequence and behavior also affect the likelihood of being modeled. In the case, a
modeled behavior by Joe is charming Evonne when she was made angry. Blake tries to
alleviate the mood with his jokes and compliments, which would sometimes work. For Joe, he
also does the same like laughing, batting his eyelashes, or giving a smile. This, in turn, makes
Evonne laugh as well. This means that the modeled behavior has a positive consequence in
which it lessens the gravity of Evonne’s anger. This also means that Joe would get out of the
sticky situation he is in by deflecting the possible punishment. With the positive consequence
and the great value of the behavior, the behavior is likely to be modeled by Joe.

In addition to these three factors, there are also processes that can act as factors in
determining whether or not we will learn from a model. These four processes that govern
observational learning are attention, representation, behavioral production, and motivation. The
observer must be able to attend to the behavior of the model, and be able to create
representations in memory to this behavior. Joe seems like he is attending to his father’s
behaviors especially for the phrases he typically says like “special night!” or “libation.” Joe is
able to attend to his father frequently since they are living under one roof, which makes for
better attention. With the modeled phrases, the mood or the situation may serve as the
representation for Joe because the fun mood like watching a movie may serve as a
representation in Joe’s memory to say “special night!” on this occasion. The observer must then
produce the behavior to see whether or not the behavior can be made. Here, it seems that Joe
is able to reproduce Blake’s behavior as it does not need that much of an effort to do so for
Joe’s age. For example, dumping things at the door seems an easy behavior to model and
reproduce. Lastly, the observer must have the motivation to do behavior as this makes
observational learning more effective. I think that Joe has every motivation to model his father’s
behaviors. For example, he expects his mother to just pick up the things he dropped, and when
she gets mad, he has a way to get out of it. He is motivated to do this behavior because it works
for his father, Blake, and dropping belongings means that he gets more time to play with his
sister, which is motivating itself.

3. Find an example of self-regulation that Joe engages in, and explain it.

Self-regulation operates through reactive and proactive strategies in order to achieve

goals, and set new and higher goals. This work externally and internally in which people can
manipulate their environment, and evaluate and monitor their behaviors for their goals. An
example of self-regulation that Joe engages in is the way he charms his mother out of trouble,
especially the jokes he tells. 

Joe engages in self-regulation whenever he asks his mother whether or not the joke is
good. When his mother says that the joke is good, he is trilled. When his mother says that the
joke is bad, he is disappointed. This behavior of Joe shows some of the external and internal
factors of self-regulation. External factors are with the environment people interact in. External
factors affect self-regulation by providing a standard for evaluating behavior. In the case, Joe
asks his mother whether the joke is good or bad. The response or reaction of Evonne serves as
the criterion to which he can evaluate his behavior especially his jokes. This response of his
environment, along with personal standards, helps in building his evaluation for his joke. He
gets to realize what wavelength or kind of jokes are best for his mother. Internal factors also
affect self-regulation by self-reaction in which people react positively or negatively to their
behavior depending on their standards of evaluation. Then, this follows incentives that are self-
reinforcement or self-punishment. In the case, Joe reacts positively with the attitude of being
thrilled when the joke is good as said by his standards through his mother. He may reward
himself with self-satisfaction, and relief since he got off the hook. Being able to get out of the
trouble that happens from angering his mother is a reward itself for Joe. This is through the
good jokes he tells his mother. He reacts negatively with the attitude of disappointment when
the joke is bad in his standards. The self-regulation that Joe engages in serves as a way in
order to improve his jokes by asking a response from his mother.