5A: Observational & Social Learning Flashcards
Observational Learning
Learning by observing 'Social learning, vicarious learning' A model is witnessed by an observer, and as a result the observer’s behaviour is changed Efficient acquisition of new behaviour Watch and learn (deliberate or accidental)
Imitation
The act of copying the actions or behaviour of someone
else (a model).
Important: imitation is believed to demonstrate unique cognitive abilities, specifically capacity for perspective-taking e.g. imitating facial expressions
Two types of observational learning
Social: observing the behaviour of another and its consequences, vicarious reinforcement (if strengthened) or punishment (if weakened)
Asocial: consists of learning from observed events in the absence of a model
True imitation
Duplication of a novel behaviour (or sequence or motor tasks)
Generalised imitation
Imitation of new modelled behaviour without specific reinforcement to do so
Vicarious emotional conditioning
Classically conditioned emotional responses resulting from seeing those emotional responses exhibited by others e.g. fear modelling (see someone scared of a spider, become scared of spiders too).
Contagious behaviour
Social learning is NOT this. Instinctive or reflexive behaviour triggered by its presence in another individual e.g. yawning Evolutionarily helpful - cows running, orienting Social bonding – laughter
Stimulus enhancement
Social learning is NOT this.
Directing attention toward objects, events or locations in an environment as a result of another organism’s action.
e.g. you notice something because someone else’s behaviour draws your attention to it.
Usually has instinctive value.
Difficulty of task
Effects observational learning.
The more difficult the task, the harder it is to learn through observation.
Skilled vs unskilled model
Effects observational learning.
Skilled: the model demonstrates the proper performance of a task
Unskilled: the observer then sees both what works and what does not and will learn from the model’s mistakes as well as their successes
Characteristics of the model
We learn more from models that are: • Competent • Attractive • Likeable • Prestigious • Powerful • Popular
Consequences of observed acts
Will observe what happens to model when they do something
E.g. when aggressive responses are praised, will be more likely to respond aggressively.
Consequences of observer’s behaviour
Observer’s will do what works for them, regardless of consequences observed.
Characteristics of the observer
- Language skill
- Past experience
- Age (young tends to imitate a model more, mature get more from observing)
- Gender (females more likely to observe)
Social Learning Theory
Bandura and Walters (1977)
People learn in a social context through the principles of classical and operant conditioning, observational learning, and modelling & imitation.
Not all behaviour can be explained by CC and OC principles, so he included two additional elements:
• Social processes
• Cognitive processes in modern iterations of model
