Final answer:
Observational learning, drawn from Albert Bandura's social learning theory, highlights the impact of modeling both positive (prosocial) and negative (antisocial) behaviors in front of children. Modeling behaviors such as kindness and honesty can positively influence children, while negative behaviors can lead to antisocial actions. Positive reinforcement is preferred over punishment for its ability to encourage repeat positive behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the positive qualities to model for children and behaviors to avoid, it's important to reference Albert Bandura's social learning theory. This theory suggests that individuals learn from observing others, a concept known as observational learning. Bandura's research concluded that observational learning could lead to both prosocial (positive) and antisocial (negative) effects.
For instance, displaying kind, courteous, and honest behaviors can influence children to adopt these positive traits. Conversely, children exposed to aggression or dishonesty may imitate these negative behaviors. This underscores the importance of parents and educators acting as role models, consistently exhibiting qualities they wish to impart upon the children in their care.
In terms of behavior modification, positive reinforcement is a powerful tool. By rewarding desirable behaviors, individuals (including children) are more likely to repeat those behaviors in the future. For example, rewarding a child for cleaning up their toys with a bedtime story encourages the repetition of the cleaning behavior. However, psychologists today often recommend reinforcement over punishment, as punishment can have negative side effects.
Lastly, public figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi exemplify the impact of prosocial models on global social change. A prosocial model in your own life might be a parent, teacher, or community leader whose actions inspire kindness, empathy, and social responsibility. This further demonstrates how modeled behaviors can influence an individual's actions and contribute to societal norms and values.