Observational learning is sometimes called shaping, modeling, and vicarious reinforcement. While it can take place at any point in life, it tends to be the most common during childhood.
It also plays an important role in the socialization process. Children learn how to behave and respond to others by observing how their parents and, or caregivers interact with other people.
History of Observational Learning
Psychologist Albert Bandura is the researcher most often associated with learning through observation. He and others have demonstrated that we are naturally inclined to engage in observational learning.
Studies suggest that imitation with social understanding tends to begin around 2 years old, but will vary depending on the specific child. In the past, research has claimed that newborns are capable of imitation, but this may not be true, as newborns often react to stimuli in a way that may seem like imitation, but isn't.
The Bobo Doll Experiment
Bandura's Bobo doll experiment is one of the most famous examples of observational learning. In the Bobo doll experiment, Bandura demonstrated that young children may imitate the aggressive actions of an adult model. Children observed a film where an adult repeatedly hit a large, inflatable balloon doll and then had the opportunity to play with the same doll later on.
Children were more likely to imitate the adult's violent actions when the adult either received no consequences or when the adult was rewarded. Children who saw the adult being punished for this aggressive behavior were less likely to imitate them.
Stages of Observational Learning
There are four stages of observational learning that need to occur for meaningful learning to take place.
Attention
For an observer to learn, they must be in the right mindset to do so. This means having the energy to learn, remaining focused on what the model is engaging in, and being able to observe the model for enough time to grasp what they are doing.
Educational Psychology
Retention
If the observer was able to focus on the model's behavior, the next step is being able to remember what was viewed. If the observer is not able to recall the model's behavior, they may need to go back to the first stage again.
Reproduction
If the observer is able to focus and retains the information, the next stage in observational learning is trying to replicate it. It's important to note that every individual will have their own unique capacity when it comes to imitating certain behaviors, meaning that even with perfect focus and recall, some behaviors may not be easily copied.
Motivation
In order for the observer to engage in this new behavior, they will need some sort of motivation. Even if the observer is able to imitate the model, if they lack the drive to do so, they will likely not follow through with this new learned behavior.
Motivation may increase if the observer watched the model receive a reward for engaging in a certain behavior and the observer believes they will also receive some reward if they imitate said behavior. Motivation may decrease if the observer had knowledge of or witnessed the model being punished for a certain behavior.
Influences on Observational Learning
According to Bandura's research, we are more likely to imitate:
People we perceive as warm and nurturing.
People who receive rewards for their behavior.
People who are in an authoritative position in our lives.
People who are similar to us in age, sex, and interests.
People we admire or who are of a higher social status.
When we have been rewarded for imitating the behavior in the past.
When we lack confidence in our own knowledge or abilities.
When the situation is confusing, ambiguous, or unfamiliar.
Observational learning has the potential to teach and reinforce or decrease certain behaviors based on a variety of factors. Particularly prevalent in childhood, observational learning can be a key part of how we learn new skills and learn to avoid consequences.
However, there has also been concern about how this type of learning can lead to negative outcomes and behaviors. Some studies, inspired by Bandura's research, focused on the effects observational learning may have on children and teenagers.
Observational learning can be a powerful learning tool. But, a great deal of learning takes place much more subtly and relies on watching the people around us and modeling their actions. This learning method can be applied in a wide range of settings including job training, education, counseling, and psychotherapy, Psychology, Educational Psychology, Behaviorism
To reiterate, it can be used in
Learning new behaviors like a skill, for example children can learn by watching their parents perform a task or students by observing a teacher engage in a demonstration.
Strengthening a behavior or skill.
Minimizing negative behaviors.
Different theories of learning and approaches
Barkatullah, USA, Australia, UK, London, Bhopal
25 мар 2024
