Observational Learning

Question 1

Observational Learning-

Answer 1

Observational Learning- A type of learning that occurs through watching the actions of a model and the consequences that their actions receive. Learning is active.

Question 2

ARRMR

Answer 2

Attention- The learner must focus on the model’s behaviour and its consequences
Retention- the learnt behaviour must be stored in memory as a mental representation of the observed behaviour to be utilized at a later time
Reproduction- The learner must have the physical/ intellectual ability to reproduce the behaviour
Motivation- The learner must have the desire to imitate or reproduce the learnt behaviour. i.e. not to learn it but to perform it.
• This will depend on whether the learner believes that there will be a desirable consequence (reinforcement) for reproducing the learnt behaviour.
Reinforcement- Reinforcement: More or less likely to imitate behaviour depending on the consequences of the actions (reinforcement or punishment). When there is the prospect of a positive result for imitating the behaviour (i.e. reward for the learner), it is likely the learner will do so
• Types of reinforcement:
- External reinforcement: e.g. parents praise child.
- Self-reinforcement: e.g. feeling pride.
- Vicarious reinforcement: e.g. seeing someone else get reinforced for a behaviour. (vicarious =
indirect)

Question 3

Sample Question: Explain how Joseph could teach Eli to kick a football though observational learning.

Answer 3

Sample Question: Explain how Joseph could teach Eli to kick a football though observational learning.
• Attention: Joseph ensures that Eli is actively watching as he takes four steps and kicks the ball.
• Retention: Eli stores a mental representation of what his father is doing when he kicks the ball.
• Reproduction: Eli is physically and mentally capable of performing the actions of kicking a football. E.g he is old enough to have established good hand-eye coordination.
• Motivation: Eli has a desire to kick the football like his Dad because he wants to play AFL like his Dad.
• Reinforcement: Eli kicks the ball between the posts and feels proud, so he wants to kick the ball again.