324 10 observational learning

Human LearningTopic 9: Observational Learning

04/10/2023CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 1


Observational Learning

Change in behavior due to the experience of observing a model

Observation and classical conditioning

Confederate and observer Confederate receives shock after a buzzer sounds

(acting) – observer watches

Observer later showed conditioning to the buzzer

Eyelid conditioning Observer watched conditioning trials – they

eventually produced a CR to the CS


Observational learning - classical

Alternate explanation

Maybe watching a blink is a CS for blinking Tone paired with the sight – now produces the

blink

Might be higher order conditioning


Observational learning - classical

Monkeys reared in captivity with wild parents

Parents show fear of snakes – subjects do not

Subjects will reach across a snake for food in the same compartment Then have them watch a parent in the presence

of a snake The subjects then show fear of snakes.


Observational Learning - operant

Monkey learned to do a task to receive SR (pull a chain)

An observer watched the model perform the task 5 times

Observers given six trials Observers benefitted

Many responded correctly on 1st trial 75% of solutions 30s 47% in 10s Failures were close to correct


Observational Learning - Operant

Cats solving a problem

Spin a disk to receive SR

4 Watched while one worked Two watched for the full 30 trials

Two watched for the last 15 trials

Observers OUTPERFORMED the models Models – 62s to solve trial 1

Observers 15 trials – 57s to solve on trial 1

Observers 30 trials – 16s to solve on trial 1


Imitation and generalized imitation

Observer duplicates the behavior of a model

Imitation of a behavior may not lead to the consequence (contingency)

Must immediately follow

Must look similar

Model must be the Sd for the behavior


Generalized Imitation

Generalized imitation (getting SR for imitating in general)

Baer and Sherman - Sr imitative behavior Puppet modeled 4 behaviors (mouthing, head

nodding, speaking nonsense and lever pressing) First three when imitated resulted in positive

feedback from the puppet Imitation of the lever press was never reinforced All imitating increased

Reinforced the general tendency to imitate


Variables effecting observational learning

Consequences of a model’s behavior Consistency is important

Consequences of the observers behavior Learning history Have you been reinforced for observing/imitating in the

past Model characteristics influence learning

Attractive Competent – fellow student vs. lab assistant – learned

more from the assistant Likable Prestigious


other characteristics

Attention getting The eye patch The mood

Age Young ones don’t necessarily learn more than older

Recalling what you saw (novel performances of a model)– adults were much better

Survival Polar bears and the Inuit – dangle seals So observing (and imitating) can increase

survivability


Bandura

Social Cognitive Theory

4 processes

Attentional

Retentional

Motor reproductive processes Overt or covert

Motivational processes Must be value


Problems with Bandura

Only applies to humans

Other critters display observational learning

Assumes the processes

No direct observation

Cannot separate experience from motivation, etc.


Miller-Dollard

Reinforcement history

The consequence of the observer is what is important

Model does a behavior

Observer imitates

They are reinforced for the imitating

Doesn’t explain imitating other non trained models

A case of generalization


Foraging

Imitating behavior to find food

Half and Half tubs

Some birds open them / some don’t

Group 1 - 5 trials of observation

Group 2 – 5 trials without observation (practice)

Group one opened the tubs later, group 2 did not

Cats and rats


TV

The Bobo doll experiment

Rocky the selfish child experiment

Crime on tv leads to crime

Strong experimental support

Hard to test in the lab

Not everyone imitates what they see

324 10 observational learning

Education