Observational Learning

observational learning

• process of learning by watching others, and retaining the info, then replicating the observed behaviour

Albert Bandura

• most associated with observational theory

• social learning theory

• Bobo Doll Experiment

observational learning

• process of learning by watching others, and retaining the info, then replicating the observed behaviour

Albert Bandura

• most associated with observational theory

• social learning theory

• Bobo Doll Experiment

example of observational learning

• a child watches a classmate get in trouble for hitting another child

• they learn from observing the interaction that they should not hit others

Stages of observational learning

• attention

• retention

• reproduction

• motivation

attention

• must have the energy to remain focused on what the model is engaging in and doing so for enough time to grasp what they are doing

• how the model is perceived can impact the observer’s level of attention

retention

• if the observer can focus on the model’s behaviour, the next step is being able to remember what was viewed

• if unable to recall, they need to go back to the first stage again

reproduction

• once able to focus and retain info, the next stage is trying to replicate it

motivation

• for the observer to engage in the new behaviour, they need some motivation

• may increase if the observer watched the model receive a reward for engaging - the observer will believe they will also receive some reward if they imitate said behaviour

• motivation may decrease if observer had knowledge of or witnesses the model being punished for a certain bevaiour

influences on observational learning - more likely to imitate when:

• people we perceive as warm and nurturing

• rewards

• people who are in an authoritative position in our lives

• people similar to us

• people we admire

• previously rewarded

• lack confidence

• confusing, ambiguous, or unfamiliar situation

positive and negative outcomes

• prevalent in childhood as it is a key part of how we learn new skills and learn to avoid consequences

• concern due to some undesirable behaviour that is learned (eg. violent video games can increase a child’s aggression)