Unit 6 Learning By Observation Discussion n What

Unit 6: Learning By Observation

Discussion n What is a behavior that you possess that you may have learned through observation? n Who n Why did you learn it from? do you think it became reinforced?

Learning Defined n Hilgard and Bower’s Definition of Learning: n Learning refers to the relatively permanent change in a person’s behavior to a given situation brought about by his [or her] repeated experiences in that situation, provided that the behavior change cannot be explained on the basis of native response tendencies, maturation, or temporary states of the person or other animal (e. g. , fatigue, drugs, etc. ).

Learning n relatively permanent change in an organism’s behavior due to experience n experience (nurture) is the key to learning

Different Types of Learning Classical Conditioning-learn by association of stimuli Operant Conditioning-learn through reinforcement or learning based on the association of consequences with one’s behavior. Social Learning-learn by observing & imitating others. Cognitive Learning-learn through mental processes.

Learning By Observation n Observational Learning: Learning by observing others n Also called Social Learning n Albert Bandura n n Modeling: n The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Learning By Observation Higher animals, especially humans, learn through observing and imitating others. The monkey on the right imitates the monkey on the left in touching the pictures in a certain order to obtain a reward.

Observational Learning and Language n. How do you pronounce the word “orange? ”

Observational Learning and Language

US Map n https: //www. businessinsider. com/22 -mapsthat-show-the-deepest-linguistic-conflictsin-america-2013 -6


Observational Learning and Language n Have you ever traveled to another country, or another region of the US, and found yourself speaking and/or acting similar to the people of that region? n Why do you think your speech and/or behavior changed?

Mirror Neurons n Mirror Neurons: Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so n The brain’s mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy n

Imitation Onset Learning by observation begins early in life. This 14 -month-old child imitates the adult on TV, in pulling a toy apart.

Imitation in Children n Can you remember any ways that you imitated others (parents, older siblings, cousins, etc. ) as a child? n Can you remember any ways that your younger siblings, cousins, etc. imitated you?

Bandura’s “Bobo Doll” Experiment Bandura's “Bobo Doll” Experiment (1961) indicated that individuals (children) learn through imitating others who receive rewards and punishments.

Applications of Observational Learning Unfortunately, Bandura’s studies show that antisocial models (family, neighborhood, or TV) may have antisocial effects.

Applications of Observational Learning Gentile et al. , (2004) shows that children in elementary school who are exposed to violent television, videos, and video games express increased aggression.

Applications of Observational Learning What are some TV shows, video games, or movies that you were exposed to as a child that modeled aggressive behavior?

Applications of Observational Learning Research shows that viewing media violence leads to an increased expression of aggression. Children modeling after pro

Applications of Observational Learning Fortunately, prosocial (positive, helpful) models may have prosocial effects.

Applications of Observational Learning n Prosocial Behavior: Positive, constructive, helpful behavior n The opposite of antisocial behavior n

Review n What is Observational Learning? How does it differ from Classical and Operant Conditioning? n What are mirror neurons and how do they enable empathy and imitation? n What did Albert Bandura conclude about observational learning through his “Bobo Doll” Experiment? n What are prosocial and antisocial behavior and what are some ways that they are modeled?

Homework n Unit 6 Test: “Learning” n Chapter 8 Outline: “Memory”
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