1. Human Learning
Topic 9: Observational Learning
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 1 3/30/2012
2. Observational Learning
Change in behavior due to the experience of
observing a model
Observation and classical conditioning
Confederate and observer
Confederate receives shock after a buzzer sounds
(acting) – observer watches
Observer later showed conditioning to the buzzer
Eyelid conditioning
Observer watched conditioning trials – they eventually
produced a CR to the CS
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 2 3/30/2012
3. Observational learning -
classical
Alternate explanation
Maybe watching a blink is a CS for blinking
Tone paired with the sight – now produces the blink
Might be higher order conditioning
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 3 3/30/2012
4. Observational learning -
classical
Monkeys reared in captivity with wild
parents
Parents show fear of snakes – subjects do not
Subjects will reach across a snake for food in the
same compartment
Then have them watch a parent in the presence of a
snake
The subjects then show fear of snakes.
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 4 3/30/2012
5. Observational Learning -
operant
Monkey learned to do a task to receive SR
(pull a chain)
An observer watched the model perform the
task 5 times
Observers given six trials
Observers benefitted
Many responded correctly on 1st trial
75% of solutions 30s
47% in 10s
Failures were close to correct
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 5 3/30/2012
6. Observational Learning -
Operant
Cats solving a problem
Spin a disk to receive SR
4 Watched while one worked
Two watched for the full 30 trials
Two watched for the last 15 trials
Observers OUTPERFORMED the models
Models – 62s to solve trial 1
Observers 15 trials – 57s to solve on trial 1
Observers 30 trials – 16s to solve on trial 1
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 6 3/30/2012
7. Imitation and generalized
imitation
Observer duplicates the behavior of a model
Imitation of a behavior may not lead to the
consequence (contingency)
Must immediately follow
Must look similar
Model must be the Sd for the behavior
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 7 3/30/2012
8. Generalized Imitation
Generalized imitation (getting SR for imitating in
general)
Baer and Sherman - Sr imitative behavior
Puppet modeled 4 behaviors (mouthing, head
nodding, speaking nonsense and lever pressing)
First three when imitated resulted in positive feedback
from the puppet
Imitation of the lever press was never reinforced
All imitating increased
Reinforced the general tendency to imitate
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 8 3/30/2012
9. Variables effecting
observational learning
Consequences of a model’s behavior
Consistency is important
Consequences of the observers behavior
Learning history
Have you been reinforced for observing/imitating in the
past
Model characteristics influence learning
Attractive
Competent – fellow student vs. lab assistant – learned
more from the assistant
Likable
Prestigious
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 9 3/30/2012
10. other characteristics
Attention getting
The eye patch
The mood
Age
Young ones don’t necessarily learn more than older
Recalling what you saw (novel performances of a model)–
adults were much better
Survival
Polar bears and the Inuit – dangle seals
So observing (and imitating) can increase survivability
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 10 3/30/2012
11. Bandura
Social Cognitive Theory
4 processes
Attentional
Retentional
Motor reproductive processes
Overt or covert
Motivational processes
Must be value
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 11 3/30/2012
12. Problems with Bandura
Only applies to humans
Other critters display observational learning
Assumes the processes
No direct observation
Cannot separate experience from motivation, etc.
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 12 3/30/2012
13. Miller-Dollard
Reinforcement history
The consequence of the observer is what is important
Model does a behavior
Observer imitates
They are reinforced for the imitating
Doesn’t explain imitating other non trained models
A case of generalization
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 13 3/30/2012
14. Foraging
Imitating behavior to find food
Half and Half tubs
Some birds open them / some don’t
Group 1 - 5 trials of observation
Group 2 – 5 trials without observation (practice)
Group one opened the tubs later, group 2 did not
Cats and rats
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 14 3/30/2012
15. TV
The Bobo doll experiment
Rocky the selfish child experiment
Crime on tv leads to crime
Strong experimental support
Hard to test in the lab
Not everyone imitates what they see
CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 15 3/30/2012