Disadvantages of Behavior Modelling

Behavior modeling has its advantages and many adults enjoy the teaching method, but the downsides are notable as well. When you allow your children to model their behavior after a role model, you accept that your child will gain both the good and bad aspects of their role model. Sometimes, the bad traits your child accrues can outweigh the good traits.

  1. Loss of Creativity

    • Behavior modeling teaches children, in no uncertain terms, that copying someone else̵7;s behavior is the way to accomplish something. This can help children learn rigid methods of completing a task, which takes the independent exploration out of the process entirely. Instead of challenging a child to do a task using his own methods, you tell the child how to complete every aspect of the task to achieve his goal. This is effective in certain rigid fields of learning such as math, but in more abstract fields such as art, it can hinder his ability to express his creativity.

    Disappointment

    • The behavior modeling technique sets out an ideal set of behaviors for a child, usually based off the behavior of a parent. You always set your best foot forward to set an example for your child that she can follow and emulate. This can be a good thing in certain situations, but in other cases, it can lead to disappointment. If you put yourself into a position where your child needs to follow your footsteps, she may feel incredible pressure to succeed. She may also experience intense low moods when she completes a task below your standards of excellence.

    Dangerous Behavior

    • Not every role model is a good one. Some people perform dangerous tasks, disrespect the law and harm others. Others may have good intentions, but lack the knowledge to perform a task properly, leading to problems. If a child models his behavior after someone with unsavory characteristics or a general lack of knowledge on a subject, he will start mimicking the behavior. For example, if a young man idolizes an older boy from down the street that smokes, he may model his behavior after the older boy and start smoking as well.

    Forced Values

    • As a mature adult, you have your priorities set in place about what̵7;s important in life. If you pass this information down to your child, you are limiting her experiences unfairly. Your experience comes from someone who has lived long enough to get solid experiences, but your child still has a wide world to sample. She may experience things that give her an altered look on her priorities that, while unlike yours, is still valuable for her. For example, if you instill in your child that jumping into work after school instead of pursuing higher education is the best way to survive as an adult, she may lose out on a valuable learning experience.

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