Social and Environmental Factors Influence Behavior

Log Response with Bandura

FPMHNP Student Reflection:

During the interaction with VL, I observed her engagement with the video game and her reactions to the game's outcomes. Her behavior was noticeably influenced by her environment, particularly the video game and her brother's previous interactions with it. I felt intrigued by this. Her emotional reactions, such as frustration when losing the game, were intense and seemed to be influenced by her observations of others playing the game. When reprimanded by her mother for using inappropriate language, VL showed signs of understanding the consequences of her actions, but her emotional state prevented her from immediate positive change. This interaction highlighted the importance of understanding the child's environment and the influences it has on their behavior and emotional responses. I felt like I was seeing Bandura’s theory playing out in front of my eyes.

Theorist application and analysis of interaction:

According to Bandura, learning occurs through observation and imitation of others within a social context (Locklear, 2020). VL's behavior of playing the video game, her reactions to winning or losing, and even her use of inappropriate language can be seen as learned behaviors. She likely observed these behaviors from her brother or others playing the game and imitated them.

VL's attention to my presence and her dramatic behavior when she noticed I was watching also aligns with Bandura's theory. This suggests that she was aware of the social aspect of her behavior and may have been seeking approval or attention (Locklear, 2020).

When VL's mother intervened, this provided a form of direct reinforcement, another key aspect of Bandura's theory. Her mother's reprimand served as a negative reinforcement for VL's use of inappropriate language. VL's subsequent behavior, such as avoiding eye contact and laying on the couch in a fetal position, may be her response to this negative reinforcement.