Chapter 12 Flashcards
What is observational learning
Learning by watching others
Relatively sophisticated form of learning
Four main processes of observational learning
Attention
Retention
Motor reproduction
Reinforcement
Fioriti and Scotto
Observational learning in invertebrates (octopus)
Always picked the red ball
Premack and Gillian
Transitive inference study
If A < B and B < C, the A be < C
Chimps chose the biggest one
Perceptual and conceptual analogy study
Sarah- smart chimp with language abilities
Could solve with 85% accuracy
What is language
Sounds/symbols that “stand in” for objects, ideas, actions, emotions, etc.
Productive use of symbols to communicate and express thoughts (not just reflexive response)
Grammar and syntax (word order)
Hays/Kelloggs
Tried to get chimps to learn to speak
Chimps do not have anatomy that allows them to produce human speech
Gardeners
Trained Washoe in sign language
Learned 150 words
Could use 5 word strings
No concept of syntax
Did not use language productively
Signs were difficult to interpret
Experimenter bias
Patterson
Trained Koko the Gorilla in sign language
Exposed to spoken English and sign language
Knew more than 1000 signs; could understand more than 2000
Used language productively
Invented combination words
Would talk about objects that were not present
No syntax
Studies were not scientifically rigorous (anecdotal)
Premack
Trained Sarah (Chimp) to use lexicon board
Eliminated experimenter bias – could have “blind” experiments
Learned 130 words
Could understand basic sentences
Seems to know that symbols represent objects in environment
No syntax
Did not use language productively
Savage-rumbaugh
Trained Kanzi (Bonobo) to use lexicon board
Already mastered the lexicons before formal training began (without reinforcement – simply observing).
Can form sentences
Uses language productively
Talks about others
Uses syntax correctly some of the time
Clearly understands spoken English language
