Observational learning: definition, phases and uses

It is one of the most useful learning styles in daily life, since it is not based on theory.

Relevant and famous authors such as Burrhus F. Skinner, Julian B. Rotter and, above all, Albert Bandura contributed to the description of the process by which observational learning occurs, by which we learn by seeing how other people behave.

In this article we will describe what observational learning is based on the work of Bandura, whose contributions in this regard are more widely known.whose contributions in this regard are better known as "social learning theory". We will also discuss the four stages that make up this process: attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.

What is observational learning?

The concept of "observational learning" is a bit ambiguous. Many authors identify it with social learning described by Albert Bandura; this term is probably the most popular way of referring to this process in the scientific literature.

In turn, both the definition of social learning and observational learning are confused with others that are close to it, in particular vicarious learning, imitation and modeling. However, it is possible to find differential nuances between the original scope of application of each of the terms, although with the passage of time the different conceptions have become more homogeneous.

In this sense, we can include within observational learning any type of learning that occurs as a result of the as a result of the contemplation of behaviors of other living beings. (since it is not a specific term for humans), as well as the consequences of these, i.e., their contingency with the occurrence of reinforcement and punishment.

The main particularity of observational learning is that it takes place without the need for the learner to obtain reinforcementIn this case, information is obtained about the possible effects that a given behavior will have. However, reinforcement is necessary for the behavior to be executed, as we will see a little later.

As for the other terms we have mentioned, each of them highlights a specific feature of a broad and shared phenomenon. Thus, when we speak of "modeling" we are emphasizing the importance of who acts as a role model, while "social learning" refers to the inclusion of the latter in the framework of socialization.

Bandura's social learning theory

In the 1960s, Canadian psychologist Albert Bandura conducted several studies to analyze learning processes that could not be explained by traditional behaviorist models. could not be explained by traditional behaviorist models (classical and operant conditioning). (classical and operant conditioning), but required the use of social variables. From these studies he formulated his theory of social learning.

Previously, authors such as B. F. Skinner or J. B. Rotter had previously proposed models that attempted to explain observational learning, or other closely related concepts, through basic mechanisms such as reinforcement. However, the "cognitive revolution" contributed to the inclusion of non-observable variables in scientific psychology.

According to Bandura, one of the major weaknesses of the existing approaches at the time was the fact that they did not include social variables in the hypotheses on the acquisition of behaviors. His theory is based on the idea that learning is a fundamentally cognitive process that is inseparable from the social inseparable from the social framework in which it develops.

Thus Bandura proposed the concept of reciprocal determinism, according to which, when a living being carries out learning, it is not simply receiving the events that occur in its environment, but rather there is a mutual influence between context, behaviors and cognitive variables such as expectations or motivation. such as expectations or motivation.

One of the most relevant contributions of Bandura's work was that he showed that learning can occur without the need for the learner to obtain reinforcement. However, as is logical, observing that the model obtains rewards or punishments as a consequence of its behavior modulates the learning that takes place.

The 4 stages of this process

Albert Bandura conceptualized observational (or social) learning as a process composed of four stages a process composed of four stages that take place one after another. Thus, this type of learning ranges from attention to events occurring in our environment to the motivation that leads us to perform the behavior after having learned it by observation.

1. Attention

Attention is the cognitive function that allows us to perceive and understand the events that happen in our environment. to perceive and understand the events that occur around us.. If the person's cognitive capacities are adequate and sufficient attentional resources are dedicated to observation, learning will be easier. Certain characteristics of the model, such as its prestige, have a significant influence on this process.

Retention

This stage of observational learning refers to the memorization of observed behavior. According to Bandura, retention can be based on both verbal and visual material, with verbal cognitive models being more suitable for complex learning, in general.

3. Reproduction

Following Bandura's definition, we understand "reproduction" as the execution of the behavior that had been memorized; we can conceptualize this process as the creation of a performance scheme. The feedback we receive from other people significantly modulates the concrete characteristics of behavioral reproduction.

4. Motivation

Even if we have learned a behavior perfectly, it is very unlikely that we will perform it if we do not have incentives to do so. Thus, the execution of the behavior depends above all on the expectation of reinforcement.It is in this step that, according to Bandura's theory, the presence of a reinforcer is fundamental, and not in previous stages.