External Influences on Children's Behaviour

External Influences on Children’s Behaviour

Media Influence

  • Modeling and Imitation: Children often imitate behaviours seen on television or in video games. The Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment is a prime example of how children model aggressive behaviour.

  • Pro-social Behaviour: Children can learn positive behaviours and social skills from media portraying cooperative behaviour, kindness, and understanding.

  • Desensitization to Violence: Prolonged exposure to violent media can cause children to become desensitised, meaning they are less likely to feel disturbed by aggression and may engage in violent behaviours.

Parental Influence

  • Discipline and Children’s Behaviour: The type of discipline imposed by parents impacts children’s behaviour. For example, strict punitive punishment might instil fear and can result in secretive behaviour.

  • Reinforcement and Punishment: Parents’ use of reinforcement (positive or negative) can influence children’s behaviour, based on concepts in Operant Conditioning.

  • Parents as Role Models: Parents act as role models, their behaviour can establish norms for children on how to behave, speak and interact with others.

Peer Influence

  • Peer Pressure: Children are often influenced by their peers’ behaviour, attitudes and actions. They may behave in a certain way to blend in with their peer group.

  • Socialisation: Peers provide opportunities for socialisation, shaping behaviour through interactions that develop social skills, empathy, and cooperation.

  • Bullying: Negative peer influence such as bullying can have detrimental effects on children’s behaviour and mental health.

Socioeconomic Factors

  • Poverty and Behaviour: Studies have linked poverty to behavioural problems in children. Limited resources and high stress levels can contribute to increased aggressiveness and lower social skills.

  • Educational Opportunities: The availability and quality of educational opportunities can significantly influence a child’s behaviour and development.

  • Neighbourhood Influence: The characteristics and quality of a child’s neighbourhood can impact their behaviour both directly and indirectly.