Observational Learning

“We are, in truth, more than half what we are by imitation.” – LordChesterfield

“Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own

actions to inform them what to do.” – Albert Bandura

Higher level animals do not need to learn through direct experience, they can learn indirectly from observing and imitating others.

Observation Learning

• Observation

• Modeling

• Memes

• Imitation

• Albert Bandura and the Bobo doll study

Observational Learning• Learning by observing and watching others (the model)• The Model - the person whose behavior the subject watches

and imitates• Modeling - The process of observing and imitating a specific

behavior• See an example of my daughter copying her mom feeding the

baby. Click HERE.• Memes - ideas, fashions and habits (cultural elements) passed

on by imitation. Example: Catch-phrases, ceremonies, foods, traditions, vices, and fads all spread by copying one another.

Albert Bandura (1925- )• American psychologist

who has done major studies in observational learning

• Studies the consequences a model has on subjects

• Bobo Doll experiments

Bobo Doll Experiments

• Children watched an adult model show aggressive behavior toward a Bobo doll

• Three experimental conditions:

– The model was praised.

– The model was punished.

– The model received no consequences for the aggressive behavior.

Vicarious Learning

• Learning by seeing the consequence of another’s behavior

• Bandura said that reinforcement is not essential for learning to occur but the expectation of reinforcement affects the performance of what has been learned.

Bobo Doll Experiment

Bandura’s Bobo Dolls• Watch

“Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment” Video #11 from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology.

Modeling Requirements• Bandura said 4 cognitive processes are used in

observational learning1.Must pay attention to the other person’s

behavior.2.Must remember the other person’s behavior.3.Must transform the memory into actions that

you are capable of reproducing.4.Must have some motivation for you to imitate

behavior.

Biological Findings

•Mirror neurons in the frontal lobe by the motor cortex fire when an animal observes another performing a task and when the animal actually performs the task.

Observational Learning in Everyday

Life

Antisocial/Prosocial Behavior

• Antisocial behavior - negative, destructive, abusive, unhelpful behavior

• Prosocial behavior – positive, constructive, helpful behavior

• Both types of behavior can be modeled effectively.

• How might TV programs effect the way we behave? (see pg. 228-229 in Hockenbury)

Do what I say, not what I do—

This will teach you to hit your brother—

Why do you do that, you know you get in trouble for it—

Famous last words???