Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryExamplesStagesInfluential FactorsPros and ConsUses
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
History
Examples
Stages
Influential Factors
Pros and Cons
Uses
Close
There are a number of learning theories, such asclassical conditioningandoperant conditioning, that emphasize how direct experience, reinforcement, or punishment can lead to learning. However, a great deal of learning happens indirectly.
For example, think about how a child may watch adults waving at one another and then imitates these actions later on. A tremendous amount of learning happens through this process. Inpsychology, this is referred to as observational learning.
Observational learning is sometimes called shaping, modeling, and vicarious reinforcement. While it can take place at any point in life, it tends to be the most common during childhood.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Learning Theories In Psychology
History of Observational Learning
PsychologistAlbert Bandurais the researcher most often associated with learning through observation. He and others have demonstrated that we are naturally inclined to engage in observational learning.
Studies suggest that imitation with social understanding tends to begin around 2 years old, but will vary depending on the specific child. In the past, research has claimed that newborns are capable of imitation, but this likely isn’t true, as newborns often react to stimuli in a way that may seem like imitation, but isn’t.
1:42Basic Principles of Social Learning Theory
1:42
Basic Principles of Social Learning Theory
If you’ve ever made faces at a toddler and watched them try to mimic your movements, then you may have witnessed how observational learning can be such an influential force. Bandura’ssocial learning theorystresses the power of observational learning.
Bobo Doll ExperimentBandura’s Bobo doll experiment is one of the most famous examples of observational learning. In theBobo doll experiment, Bandura demonstrated that young children may imitate the aggressive actions of an adult model. Children observed a film where an adult repeatedly hit a large, inflatable balloon doll and then had the opportunity to play with the same doll later on.Children were more likely to imitate the adult’s violent actions when the adult either received no consequences or when the adult was rewarded. Children who saw the adult being punished for thisaggressive behaviorwere less likely to imitate them.
Bobo Doll Experiment
Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment is one of the most famous examples of observational learning. In theBobo doll experiment, Bandura demonstrated that young children may imitate the aggressive actions of an adult model. Children observed a film where an adult repeatedly hit a large, inflatable balloon doll and then had the opportunity to play with the same doll later on.Children were more likely to imitate the adult’s violent actions when the adult either received no consequences or when the adult was rewarded. Children who saw the adult being punished for thisaggressive behaviorwere less likely to imitate them.
Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment is one of the most famous examples of observational learning. In theBobo doll experiment, Bandura demonstrated that young children may imitate the aggressive actions of an adult model. Children observed a film where an adult repeatedly hit a large, inflatable balloon doll and then had the opportunity to play with the same doll later on.
Children were more likely to imitate the adult’s violent actions when the adult either received no consequences or when the adult was rewarded. Children who saw the adult being punished for thisaggressive behaviorwere less likely to imitate them.
Observational Learning Examples
The following are instances that demonstrate observational learning has occurred.
How to Use Behavior Modeling to Teach Your Teen New Skills
Stages of Observational Learning
There are four stages of observational learningthat need to occur for meaningful learning to take place. Keep in mind, this is different than simply copying someone else’s behavior. Instead, observational learning may incorporate a social and/or motivational component that influences whether the observer will choose to engage in or avoid a certain behavior.
Attention
For an observer to learn, they must be in the right mindset to do so. This means having the energy to learn,remaining focusedon what the model is engaging in, and being able to observe the model for enough time to grasp what they are doing.
How the model is perceived can impact the observer’s level of attention. Models who are seen being rewarded for their behavior, models who are attractive, and models who are viewed as similar to the observer tend to command more focus from the observer.
Retention
If the observer was able to focus on the model’s behavior, the next step is being able to remember what was viewed. If the observer isnot able to recallthe model’s behavior, they may need to go back to the first stage again.
Reproduction
If the observer is able to focus and retains the information, the next stage in observational learning is trying to replicate it. It’s important to note that every individual will have their own unique capacity when it comes to imitating certain behaviors, meaning that even with perfect focus and recall, some behaviors may not be easily copied.
Motivation
In order for the observer to engage in this new behavior, they will need some sort ofmotivation. Even if the observer is able to imitate the model, if theylack the driveto do so, they will likely not follow through with this new learned behavior.
Motivation may increase if the observer watched the model receive a reward for engaging in a certain behavior and the observer believes they will also receive some reward if they imitate said behavior. Motivation may decrease if the observer had knowledge of or witnessed the model being punished for a certain behavior.
Influences on Observational Learning
According to Bandura’s research, there are a number of factors that increase the likelihood that a behavior will be imitated. We are more likely to imitate:
Pros and Cons of Observational Learning
Observational learning has the potential to teach and reinforce or decrease certain behaviors based on a variety of factors. Particularly prevalent in childhood, observational learning can be a key part of how we learn new skills and learn to avoid consequences.
For example, previous research drew a direct connection between playing certain violent video games and an increase in aggression in the short term. However, later research that focused on the short- and long-term impact video games may have on players has shown no direct connections between video game playing and violent behavior.
Similarly, research looking at sexual media exposure and teenagers' sexual behavior found that, in general, there wasn’t a connection between watching explicit content and having sex within the following year.
Another study indicated that if teenagers age 14 and 15 of the same sex consumed sexual media together and/or if parents restricted the amount of sexual content watched, the likelihood of having sex was lower. The likelihood of sexual intercourse increased when opposite-sex peers consumed sexual content together.
Research indicates that when it comes to observational learning, individuals don’t just imitate what they see and that context matters. This may include who the model is, who the observer is with, and parental involvement.
Uses for Observational Learning
Observational learning can be used in the real world in a number of different ways. Some examples include:
A Word From Verywell
Observational learning can be a powerful learning tool. When we think about the concept of learning, we often talk about direct instruction or methods that rely onreinforcementandpunishment. But, a great deal of learning takes place much more subtly and relies on watching the people around us and modeling their actions. This learning method can be applied in a wide range of settings including job training, education, counseling, andpsychotherapy.
What Is Learning?
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jones SS.The development of imitation in infancy.Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 2009;364(1528):2325-2335. doi:10.1098/rstb.2009.0045
Bandura A.Social Learning Theory. Prentice Hall; 1977.
Kühn S, Kugler DT, Schmalen K, Weichenberger M, Witt C, Gallinat J.Does playing violent video games cause aggression? A longitudinal intervention study.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(8):1220-1234. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0031-7
The impact of interactive violence on children. U.S. Senate Hearing 106-1096. March 21, 2000.Anderson CA, Dill KE.Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the laboratory and in life.J Pers Soc Psychol.2000;78(4):772-790. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.78.4.772Collins RL, Elliott MN, Berry SH, et al.Watching sex on television predicts adolescent initiation of sexual behavior.Pediatrics. 2004;114(3):e280-9. dloi:10.1542/peds.2003-1065-L
The impact of interactive violence on children. U.S. Senate Hearing 106-1096. March 21, 2000.
Anderson CA, Dill KE.Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the laboratory and in life.J Pers Soc Psychol.2000;78(4):772-790. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.78.4.772
Collins RL, Elliott MN, Berry SH, et al.Watching sex on television predicts adolescent initiation of sexual behavior.Pediatrics. 2004;114(3):e280-9. dloi:10.1542/peds.2003-1065-L
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
