LPI Topic 9 Flashcards
Social Learning
Social learning refers to acquiring knowledge through observing or interacting with others (Heyes, 1994).
- Learning influenced by watching others’ behaviour or its outcomes.
- A shortcut to learning rather than relying on trial and error.
Stimulus Enhancement
Observer’s attention is drawn to an object/place due to another’s interaction.
Observational Conditioning
Learning the positive/negative properties of a stimulus by observing others’ reactions.
Affordance Learning
Understanding how objects function by watching others interact with them.
Emulation
Copying the outcome of an action but not the exact movement.
Object Movement Re-Enactment
Copying the way an object moves rather than the precise action itself.
Imitation
Copying an observed action exactly, including body movement and technique.
Social Learning vs. Other Learning Types
- Social Learning: Learning from observing/interacting with others.
- Asocial Learning: Learning independently, through trial and error.
- Directed Learning: Learning through explicit instruction or communication.
Individual Differences in Social Learning
People differ in their ability to learn socially due to:
- Environmental Factors
- Cognitive & Motivational Factors
- Biological Influences
Environmental Factors
- Children who experience neglect show reduced social learning.
- Cultural upbringing influences how learning from others is valued.
- A hostile social context (e.g., bullying in school) may discourage social learning.
Cognitive & Motivational Factors
- Some individuals are more attentive or motivated to observe others.
- Past reinforcement affects willingness to imitate others.
Biological Influences
- Mirror neurons fire both when performing an action and watching someone else perform it.
- Some species/individuals have an innate bias toward social learning.
Mirror Neurons & Imitation
- Neurons that fire both when performing an action and watching it in others.
