Introduction
As humans, we start learning on our first day of existence.
Most of this initial learning happens through observation. Observing friends, family members, and the surrounding environment. That’s how we make sense of the world.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at observational learning theory: the definition, four processes, examples, and importance.
We’ll also explore observational learning in the corporate workplace. And how you can use observational learning to improve your corporate training and development programs.
Definition
Observational learning is the process of learning by watching the behaviors of others. The targeted behavior is watched, memorized, and then mimicked.
Also known as shaping and modeling, observational learning is most common in children as they imitate behaviors of adults.
While at times, we intentionally observe experts to learn new information, observational learning isn’t always intentional. Especially in young children.
A child may learn to swear or smoke cigarettes by watching adults. They are continually learning through observation, whether the target behavior is desirable or not.
Model
A model is the person performing the task being imitated. In the example of a child learning to swear, the model is the parent that said the swear word. The child is using their parent as a model that they observe performing a behavior.
Good model
Humans don’t just imitate anyone. Most often, we mimic people that:
Are similar to us
Are in high-status positions
Are experts or knowledgeable
Are rewarded for their behaviors
Provide us with nurturing (parents or guardian-figures)
Processes of Observational Learning
Canadian/American psychologist, Albert Bandura, was one of the first psychologists to recognize the phenomenon of observational learning. His theory, Social Learning Theory, stresses the importance of observation and modeling of behaviors, attitudes and emotional reactions of others.
He found that, as social animals, humans naturally gravitate toward observational learning. Children watch their family members and mimic their behaviors. Even infants, at just 3-weeks old, start imitating mouth movements and facial expressions of adults around them.
According to Bandura’s research, there are four processes that influence observational learning:
1.Attention
2.Retention
3.Reproduction
4.Motivation
Let’s take a look at each in more depth:
1. Attention
To learn, an observer must pay attention to something in the environment. They must notice the model and the behavior occurring. Attention levels can vary based on the characteristics of the model and environment – including the model’s degree of likeness, or the observer’s current mood.
In humans, it is likely the observer will pay attention to behaviors of models that are high-status, talented, intelligent, or similar to the observer in any way.
2. Retention
Simple attention is not enough to learn a new behavior. An observer must also retain, or remember, the behavior at a later time.
To increase chances of retention, the observer must structure the information in an easy-to-remember format. Maybe they use a mnemonic device. Or form a daily learning habit.
The behavior must be easily remembered so the action can be performed with little or no effort.
3. Reproduction
The behavior is remembered. But can it be performed in real-life?
Reproduction is the process where the observer must be able to physically perform the behavior in the real-world. Easier said than done.
Often, producing a new behavior requires hours of practice to obtain the skills. You can’t just watch your VP give a brilliant company-wide presentation, then use only the observed tactics in your own presentation 20-minutes later. Those skills take years to craft and perfect.
4. Motivation
All learning requires some degree of personal motivation. For observational learning, the observer must be motivated to produce the desired behavior.
Sometimes this motivation is intrinsic to the observer. Other times, motivation can come in the form of external reinforcement – rewards and punishments.
Bobo Doll Experiment
Bandura’s classic Bobo Doll experiment showed that children would mimic violent behaviors, simply by observing others.
In the experiment, children were shown a video where a model would act aggressively toward an inflatable doll – hitting, punching, kicking, and verbally assaulting the doll. There were three different endings:
1.The model was punished for their behavior
2.The model was rewarded for their behavior
3.There were no consequences
After watching the model, children were given a Bobo doll, identical to that in the video. Their behaviors were observed.
Researchers found that children were more likely to mimic violent behaviors when they observed the model receiving a reward, or when no consequences occurred. On the flip side – children that observed the model being punished for violence showed less actual violence toward the doll.
Examples
Here are a few real-world examples of observational learning:
A child watches their mother eat dinner with a fork. They observe the behavior and quickly learn how to use a fork themselves.
A high-school basketball player watches Stephen Curry shoot free-throws. They observe details such as the number of ball dribbles and hand follow through patterns, then try to mimic the behavior themselves.
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:
People we perceive as warm and nurturing
People who receive rewards for their behavior
People who are in an authoritative position in our lives
People who are similar to us in age, sex, and interests
People we admire or who are of a higher social status
When we have been rewarded for imitating the behavior in the past
When we lack confidence in our own knowledge or abilities
When the situation is confusing, ambiguous, or unfamiliar
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.
However, there has also been concern about how this type of learning can lead to negative outcomes and behaviors. Some studies, inspired by Bandura's research, focused on the effects observational learning may have on children and teenagers.
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.
Uses for Observational Learning
Observational learning can be used in the real world in a number of different ways. Some examples include:
Learning new behaviors: Observational learning is often used as a real-world tool for teaching people new skills. This can include children watching their parents perform a task or students observing a teacher engage in a demonstration.
Strengthening skills: Observational learning is also a key way to reinforce and strengthen behaviors. For example, if a study sees another student getting a reward for raising their hand in class, they will be more likely to also raise their hand the next time they want to ask a question.
Minimizing negative behaviors: Observational learning also plays an important role in reducing undesirable or negative behaviors. For example, if you see a coworker get reprimanded for failing to finish a task on time, it means that you may be more likely to finish your work more quickly.
