Learning observational

Vicarious consequences As children, we learned numerous behavioral patterns by watching oiu parents, teachers, and peers. When we saw our siblings or schoolmates receive rewards like special attention for certain behaviors, we were more likely to copy that behavior, for instance. This process is termed vicarious, or indirect, reinforcement. At the same time, when we observed others getting punished for emitting certain behaviors, we learned to avoid these behaviors. This is referred to as vicarious punishment. 

How can we expect our teenagers to practice safe driving and keep their emotions under control if we have shown them the opposite throughout their childhood Of course, we are not the only role models who influence our children through observational learning, but we can make a difference. 

The prominent role of parental modeling in socializing children is illustrated by this humorous but true story of a father tucking his six-year-old daughter into bed. 

When he came into her bedroom, his daughter requested, Daddy, would you tuck me in like you do mommy every night He said, 

Our actions influence others to a greater extent than we realize. Without our being aware of our influence, children learn by watching us at home our coworkers are 

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Preclinical studies have shown that fetal tetrahydro-cannabinoid levels remain lower than maternal plasma levels, indicating that the placenta may act as a partial barrier to this class of compounds. Decreased birth weight and postnatal growth have been observed in rats prenatally exposed to cannabis. Some studies have observed learning deficits in prenatally exposed animals, while others have not (Lee, 1998). 

Observational learning, also known as modeling or imitation, proposes that learning occurs as a result of observation and consequence. Behavior is learned through imitation, however behavior that is rewarded is more readily imitated than behavior that is punished. Termed vicarious conditioning, this type of learning is present when there is attention to the behavior, retention and the ability to reproduce the behavior, and motivation for the learning to occur. 

Below are summarized the many advantages and disadvantages of the particular extraction and sampling techniques used in this study. They include observations learned through frequent use on various types of samples. 

Looking, observing, learning, and finding inspiration from nature... 

Graziano, A., Leggio, M.G., Mandolesi, L., Neri, P., Molinari, M., and Petrosini, L., 2002. Learning power of single behavioral units in acquisition of a complex spatial behavior an observational learning study in cerebellar-... 

Janelle, C.M., Champenoy, J.D., Coombes, S.A. and Mousseau, M.B. (2003), Mechanisms of Attentional Cueing during Observational Learning to Facilitate Motor Skill Acquisition, Journal of Sports Sciences, 21, No. 10, 825-38. 

As discussed previously, one of the benefits of an observation process is that employees who conduct observations learn to work more safely (see the discussion of the observer effect in Chapter 27). Observers begin to perform the behaviors on the checklist much more consistently, surprisingly even when they have not been observed or received feedback on their own safety practices. In addition, by conducting safety observations, employees are learning to identify hazards in their work areas, which may, at least in part, explain why they begin to work more safely. 

Mason, J.R. R.F. Reidinger. 1982. Observational learning of food aversions in redwinged blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus). Auk 99 548-554. 

Figure 7,6 Children learn a lot from their parents through observational learning.

Given the potential for observational learning from television viewing, our comprehensive and systematic observations of violence and unsafe sex on television during the 1994-1995 and 1997-1998 seasons were disappointing and alarming. In the fall of 1994, my students coded 297 violent scenes from 152 prime-time episodes over a nine-week period. The FOX Television Network showed the most violence, with an average of almost three violent scenes per episode. The most commonly used weapon was the hand or fist (36.2... 

Learning safety from television. Now consider the potential observational learning in showing television stars using vs. not using vehicle safety belts. When seeing a television hero buckle up, some viewers, mostly children, learn how to put on a vehicle safety belt others are reminded that they should buckle up on every trip still others realize that safety belt use is an acceptable social norm. On the other hand, the frequent nonuse of safety belts on television teaches the attitude that certain types of individuals, perhaps macho males and attractive females, do not use safety belts. 

My point here is that there are a number of things we can do to promote responsible broadcasting on television. If everyone contributes a "small win," the benefits can add up to a big difference. Considering the substantial influence of observational learning on behaviors and attitudes, and the millions of daily viewers of prime-time television shows, efforts to depict exemplary behavior among network stars—like safe driving practices— could potentially prevent millions of injuries and save thousands of lives. Television shows dearly influence our culture. Thus, to achieve a true societal Total Safety Culture, the behavior depicted on television needs to be consistent with such a vision. 

Figure 7.10 This poem, written by Forrest H. Kirkpatrick, illustrates the power of observational learning. With permission.

For example, I never get in my vehicle believing a crash will happen to me, so my rationale for buckling my combination lap and shoulder belt is to set the right example for others, whether they are in the car with me or not. Understanding the powerful influence of observational learning, we should feel obligated to set the safe example whenever someone could see us. 

Analogous to the scenario in Figure 16.5, a puzzle-learner could experience initial success and self-efficacy if he or she watched the teacher put all of the pieces of the puzzle together except for the last piece. Then the child has a relatively easy task to do, and the teacher and child can celebrate tire completed picture. Notice the role of observation learning when the child watches tire teacher pick and place the various puzzle pieces. A good... 

Can leaders be observed learning critical new behaviors e.g., how to encourage and welcome the reporting of near misses, and do they capitalize on this information to reduce future hazards ... 

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