Previously on our newsletter…
We analysed operant conditioning and considered the extent to which the consequences of our actions affect what we learn.
A quick question:
In the first part of this newsletter, we agreed that experience is the best and only teacher. However, is this experience of a direct or an indirect nature?
Observational learning is a relatively permanent change in behaviour by means of watching the actions of others (also known as models).
In other words…
What this means is that human beings do not necessarily need to learn by engaging in behaviours. Sometimes all that is needed is an observation which will lead to replication.
You do not need to touch a needle to know that you will feel pain. All you need to do is enter a hospital and watch people take injections.
The Bobo Doll Experiment
In 1961, a psychologist known as Albert Bandura attempted to study the acquisition of social behaviours through observational learning. He had his subject (children) watch a video of an adult being aggressive to a Bobo doll. Afterwards, he left the children alone with a similar doll and observed their behaviour.
In the course of observation, Bandura noticed that children who had watched the video were more aggressive to the doll compared to other children who had not seen the video.
The takeaway?
Consciously or unconsciously we observe the behaviours of others and replicate them, especially when they have favourable consequences. People also watch us and imitate what we do.
As adults, it is easier to control what we learn and who we learn from. This can be harder for children who are very impressionable and yet to form a proper understanding of the world around them.
This is why we need to be wary of what we do around young people.
Something to ponder about…
My Dear Reader (or MDR), I want you to think about this. Who are your models and what are they teaching you? Are you a good model? I’d love to hear from you in the comment section.
I hope you enjoyed the Psychology of Learning. Till next week.
Cheers,
Ewoma Omoghene
PS Do not forget
Our official launch is happening on the 1st of December, 2021 from 11 am to 1 pm on Zoom. Please click the link to register: