Observational Learning

Type of learning 1: When an unnatural association is made between a response and a stimuli.

(Classical conditioning).

Type of learning 2: When we make behavioral changes based on experiences that resulted in

rewards or punishments. (Operant conditioning).

How else do we learn behavior?

Observational LearningThe replication of other’s behavior through

observation and imitation. (Also called “modeling” and “social learning”).

Albert Bandura believed that direct reinforcement and

punishment could not account for all learning that occurs. What about when children copy the

behavior of their parents when no reinforcement is given?

WatchInterpret

Mimic

The “Bobo Doll Experiment”

From 1961-63, Bandura conducted experiments with a “Bobo” clown doll to see the

degree to which children would mimic the behavior of adults.

A “Bobo Doll” was a toy from the 1960s that was inflatable, and

weighted so that it would tilt upwards again after being

knocked down.

36 boys and 36 girls were tested.

Video 1

The “Bobo Doll Experiment”

Results: Children who observed adults showing loving behavior

towards the Bobo doll copied that behavior. Children who observed adults showing aggressive behavior

towards the Bobo doll copied that behavior.Children who observed adults ignoring the Bobo doll did not

show aggressive behavior towards it.

Bandura concluded that people learn through observing, imitating, and modeling. People not

only learn by being rewarded or punished itself, but they can learn from watching

somebody being rewarded or punished, too.

Cognitive vs. BehavioralBandura was one of many psychologists who believed that the “behavioral” approach was ignoring the ability

of the mind to think for itself.

Behavioral Approach to Learning:

• Pavlov, Watson, Skinner• Learning is the result of interacting

with forces in the environment• Learning happens when external

forces (like stimuli, direct reinforcement, and punishment) impact our lives.

Cognitive Approach to Learning:

• Bandura• Learning can happen in the mind

without directly interacting with the environment

• Learning can happen simply from our own internal thoughts and expectations.

How Observational Learning OccursAttention To learn anything, you need to be paying attention.

Any kind of distraction can make it difficult for you to remember what you are learning.

Retention You must be able to store (or retain) the information you have learned in your brain. Many factors (like

age and health) can impact memory retention.

Reproduction You must mimic (or reproduce) the behavior you have learned from a model. The more you mimic the learned behavior, the longer you will retain it in your memory.

Motivation You have to be motivated to mimic a behavior, or else

you will stop practicing it, and eventually forget it.

Experiments with AnimalsObservational learning has also been tested on

animals like pigeons, fish, and monkeys.

Hummingbirds were trained to use a spacial kind of feeder. These became the “tutor” birds.

There were two experimental groups: in the first, a group of hummingbirds was exposed to the feeder, and took a long time to figure out how to get the food out. In the second, a group of birds had one “tutor” bird with them. These birds learned how to use the

feeder much faster.

Role ModelsWe don’t model the behavior of all people equally.

Celebrities

Parents Friends, Peers

At a young age, parents are the

biggest influence. As we grow older, famous people

influence us as well. However, the best role models are

always the people you are most similar to: for example, your

own age and gender.

Inside Your Brain…PET scans reveal that your brain often activates while watching someone else

perform a behavior in the

same way it would activate if

you yourself were performing that

behavior.

Bandura also recognized that we can learn by observing the positive

and negative consequences that

happen to other people.

For example, if a teacher is giving positive reinforcement by saying

“good job” to all students who are reading in class, it might cause a

student who is not reading to pick up a book and begin.

Or, if we see the punishment that results from taking drugs, we are less likely to mimic drug-taking behavior.

Try It!Try some observational learning for yourself.

See if you and a classmate can learn to do a “secret handshake” just by watching a video.

You can watch the video again on the psych website!

Video 2