Why It's Important To Model Desired Behavior

Human beings learn an extraordinary amount from each other. Often our behavior is a result of how we respond to others. When trying to influence behavior, we often resort to verbal and/or written requests and demands. Social psychologist Albert Bandura was one of the first people to prove that we learn from modeled behavior. Modeling a desired behavior is much more effective than telling somebody what to do. Whether it be in the workplace, in the home, or in the greater public, setting the example by doing will command much more credibility and respect, leading to greater influence. Below is the famous video footage of the experiment by Albert Bandura showing how children model behavior.