However, a great deal of learning happens indirectly.
A tremendous amount of learning happens through this process.
Inpsychology, this is referred to as observational learning.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
While it can occur at any point in life, it tends to be the most common during childhood.
It also plays a vital role in the socialization process.
Of course, we don’t just imitate every behavior we see.
In the past, certain schools of thought have emphasizedunconscious forces, environmental associations, or rewards and punishments.
PsychologistAlbert Bandurais the researcher most often associated with learning through observation.
Researchers have found that infants' ability to imitate develops by being imitated.
Bandura’ssocial learning theorystresses the power of observational learning.
In theBobo doll experiment, Bandura demonstrated that young children may imitate the aggressive actions of an adult model.
Children who saw the adult being punished for thisaggressive behaviorwere less likely to imitate them.
Real-Life Examples of Observational Learning
The following are instances that demonstrate observational learning has occurred.
Attention
For an observer to learn, they must be in the rightmindsetto do so.
How the model is perceived can impact the observer’s level of attention.
According to Bandura’s research, several factors increase the likelihood that a behavior will be imitated.
After all, there are definitely some behaviors we’d love to see others adopt after observation!
Observational learning has the potential to teach and reinforce or decrease certain behaviors based on a variety of factors.
This may include who the model is, who the observer is with, and parental involvement.
However, some research suggests that early exposure to concerning material may increase risky behavior later on.
Researchers suggest that prevention programs and improved media literacy may help mitigate these effects.
There are many uses for this pop in of learning, ranging from the classroom to self-improvement.
Some potential uses for observational learning include:
Takeaways
Observational learning can be a powerful learning tool.
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