Social Learning
Learning by Observation
Learning by observing others is a key method of acquiring knowledge and behaviors.
Example: When a child sees someone burn themselves on the stove, they learn not to touch the stove.
Modeling involves observing and imitating specific behaviors.
A wide range of social behaviors is learned through modeling.
A Third Type of Learning
Cognitive learning distinguishes itself by involving changes in mental processes, not just behavior.
Sometimes problem-solving leads to "flashes of insight" when traditional approaches fail.
This leads to re-evaluating strategies, for example, realizing that a single 15-minute jog is insufficient for maintaining fitness.
Wolfgang Kohler and Sultan
Researcher Wolfgang Kohler discovered that chimpanzees like Sultan can solve complex problems by combining previously learned behaviors.
Sultan was taught to stack boxes to reach food and later to use a stick to obtain food out of reach.
Sultan’s Situation
Kohler set up a scenario where bananas were placed out of reach after Sultan had stacked the boxes.
Sultan initially demonstrated frustration but then cleverly dragged the boxes and stick to successfully knock down the bananas, indicating problem-solving skills.
This suggested that animals learn by reorganizing their understanding of problems rather than just responding to conditioned behaviors.
Sultan the Chimp
Sultan is a model for demonstrating cognitive learning in animals, particularly in problem-solving scenarios.
Cognitive Learning
Cognitive learning is not exclusive to chimps.
In experiments with rats navigating mazes, they would choose the shortest route to a reward.
If that pathway was blocked, the rats quickly adapted to taking the next best route, indicating they formed a clear mental map of the maze.
Cognitive Map
A cognitive map is a mental representation of one's environment layout.
It may include various techniques for visual representation, helping organisms to navigate effectively.
Rats that explore a maze demonstrate cognitive mapping after gaining experience.
Latent Learning
Latent learning occurs without any apparent signs until there is motivation to demonstrate it.
In maze studies, rats initially wandered without reinforcements. When food was provided, they completed the maze faster than those who had never navigated it before.
Example evidence: Rats showed quicker maze completion rates once reinforcements were introduced, suggesting latent learning.
Observational Learning
Observational learning is characterized by observing the rewards others receive and imitating them.
It involves acquiring new responses based on the observed behaviors of others and the outcomes of those behaviors.
Observational Learning & the Bobo Doll Experiment
Albert Bandura tested observational learning with children observing an adult behave aggressively toward a Bobo doll.
Post observation, children mimicked the aggressive actions towards the doll, demonstrating learned behaviors through observation.
Media and Violence
Research investigates the impact of media violence on children's behavior.
Correlation in studies shows observing violence is associated with subsequent violent behavior.
Viewers of violent media often become desensitized, or experience a reduction in emotional responses, a condition termed psychic numbing.