Final answer:
The powerful influence of filmed examples on children can serve as a tool for socialization and learning, embodying the concept of observational learning. Such media can have prosocial effects, encouraging desirable behaviors, or antisocial effects, potentially leading to the adoption of negative behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The powerful influence of filmed examples in changing the behavior of children can be used as a tool for socialization and learning. In the realm of psychology and social studies, there is robust evidence suggesting that children and even adults can learn behaviors and social norms through the media they consume.
This phenomenon is known as observational learning or modeling, a concept notably studied in the experiments of psychologist Albert Bandura.
Bandura's research demonstrated that when individuals, especially children, observe others performing behaviors and see the consequences of those actions, such as rewards or punishments, they are more likely to adopt those behaviors themselves.
Positive, or prosocial, influences can therefore be intentionally used to encourage desirable behaviors — for example, witnessing acts of kindness or educational programming can inspire those behaviors in children.
Parents, educators, and media creators alike are therefore advised to consider the content that children are exposed to, and to provide positive models that promote the values and actions we wish to see in society.