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Learning by Observation

Module 23

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Learning by Observation

Learning by Observation Bandura’s Experiments

Applications of Observational Learning

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Learning by Observation

Higher animals especially humans

learn through observing and

imitating others.

Monkey on the right imitates monkey on

the left in touching the pictures in a certain order to get reward.

© H

erb Terrace

©H

erb Terrace

4

Mirror Neurons

Neuroscientist have discovered (mirror) neurons in the brain of animals and humans that activate during observational learning.

Rep

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t of

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nce,

Sub

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ce 3

05: 4

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) ©

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Imitation Onset

Learning by observation comes about early in

life. This 14 month old child imitates the adult on TV in pulling a toy

apart.

Mel

tzof

f, A

.N. (

1998

). I

mita

tion

of te

levi

sed

mod

els

by in

fant

s. C

hild

Dev

elop

men

t, 59

122

1-12

29. P

hoto

s C

ourt

esy

of A

.N. M

eltz

off

and

M. H

anuk

.

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Bandura's Experiments

Bandura's Bobo doll study (1961)

indicated that individuals (children)

learn through imitating others who receive reward and

punishments.

Cou

rtes

y of

Alb

ert B

andu

ra, S

tanf

ord

Uni

vers

ity

7

Applications of Observational Learning

Bad news from Bandura’s studies is

that antisocial models (family,

neighborhood or TV) may have

antisocial effects.

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Positive Observational Learning

The good news is that prosocial (positive, helpful) models can have prosocial effects.

Bob

Dae

mm

rich

/ The

Im

age

Wor

ks

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Television and Observational Learning

Gentile et al., (2004) showed that

elementary school going children who

were exposed to violent television, videos and video games expressed

increased aggression.

Ron

Cha

pple

/ Tax

i/ G

etty

Im

ages

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Modeling Violence

Research has shown that viewing media violence does lead to increased expression of aggression.

Children modeling after pro wrestlers

Bob

Dae

mm

rich

/ The

Im

age

Wor

ks

Gla

ssm

an/ T

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e W

orks