American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Practice Test 2025 - Free AAFCS Practice Questions and Study Guide

Behavioral modeling refers to the process through which individuals, particularly children, learn and adopt behaviors by observing and imitating those around them, especially authoritative figures like parents. This concept is grounded in social learning theory, which posits that people can learn new behaviors and acquire new skills simply by watching others. When children see their parents exhibiting certain behaviors—such as problem-solving, emotional expression, or social interactions—they are likely to replicate those actions, integrating them into their own behavior patterns over time.

In contrast, masked communication relates to concealing one's true feelings or thoughts in interactions; role strain refers to the challenges and stress one faces when trying to fulfill multiple roles, such as parent and worker; and heritage connects more broadly to cultural background and traditions rather than direct behavior modeling. Hence, behavioral modeling is the most accurate description of how children imitate the behavior of their parents and other role models.