Modeling: Advantages/Disadvantages

Modeling has the potential to reinforce positive behaviors, such as being kind to others, good study skills, morality, or making good choices.


Modeling unfortunately has the potential to influence negative behaviors, such as socially unacceptable behaviors, bad language, or behaviors that an individual was previously not allowed to engage in. Observing aggressive behaviors through modeling can also reinforce exhibition of like behavior in the observant.

Introduction to Modeling and Observation

Behaviors that are demonstrated are acquired by observing behaviors of other individuals and modeling witnessed behaviors. Modeling affects not only behavior, but cognitive learning as well (Ormrod, 2008). Modeling occurs when individuals, especially children and teens, observe behaviors and mimic them.

Observation and modeling starts within the first two days of life, and is an important information gathering tool about the environment (Ormrod, 2008). Infants and children begin to model behavior according to social norms based on observation of adults and older children within the environment. Modeling is an important tool for increasing self-efficacy, as it is important for an individual to see someone similar to oneself succeed and excel (Cherry, 2012).When seeing someone like oneself succeed, one can be assured that they have the potential to succeed as well.