EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY EIGHTH EDITION IN MODULES David MyersLearningSlide 3Slide 4Learning by ObservationSlide 6Mirror NeuronsImitation OnsetBandura's ExperimentsApplications of Observational LearningPositive Observational LearningAntisocial Observational LearningSlide 13EXPLORINGPSYCHOLOGYEIGHTH EDITION IN MODULESDavid MyersPowerPoint SlidesAneeq AhmadHenderson State UniversityWorth Publishers, © 20112LearningLearning by ObservationModule 1934Mirrors In the BrainBandura’s ExperimentsApplications of Observational LearningProsocial Observational LearningAntisocial Observational Learning5Learning by ObservationConditioning principles don’t explain all learning. Higher animals, especially humans, can learn without direct experience, through observational learning, by observing and imitating others.The monkey on the right imitates the monkey on the left in touching the pictures in a certain order to obtain a reward.We learn all kinds of behaviors through modeling – observing and imitating a specific behavior.6Learning by Observation7Mirror NeuronsNeuroscientists discovered mirror neurons – frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so – in the brains of animals and humans that are active during observational learning.PET scans of different brain areas shows that humans have a mirror neuron system that supports empathy and imitation.8Imitation OnsetLearning by observation begins early in life. This 14-month-old child imitates the adult on TV in pulling a toy apart.Meltzoff, A.N. (1998). Imitation of televised models by infants. Child Development, 59 1221-1229. Photos Courtesy of A.N. Meltzoff and M. Hanuk.9Bandura's ExperimentsBandura's Bobo doll study (1961) indicated that individuals (children) learn through imitating others who receive rewards and punishments.Courtesy of Albert Bandura, Stanford University10Applications of Observational LearningBandura’s studies show that models (family, neighborhood or TV) may have good or bad effects.Businesses use behavior modeling to train to train communications, sales, and customer service skills. Trainees learn faster when both they are both told and shown skills.11Positive Observational LearningPositive models can have good effects by modeling prosocial (positive, constructive, helpful) behavior . Models are most effective when their words and actions are consistent.Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works12Antisocial Observational LearningObservational learning can also have antisocial effects. Television, movies, and video games are a powerful source of observational learning and studies have found a link between viewing violent programs and aggressive behavior – the violence-viewing effect.13Antisocial Observational LearningThe violence-viewing effect stems from two factors – imitation and desensitization. Children modeling after pro wrestlersBob Daemmrich/ The Image WorksGlassman/ The Image
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