Key Takeaways
- Observational learning is when you learn by watching what others do.
- Children often imitate the actions of adults, especially if they see a positive result.
- Observational learning can help you know how to act in new situations by copying others.
Have you ever found yourself mimicking another person’s actions without thinking about it? That’s a great example of what psychologists call observational learning, aka learning new skills, behaviors, and attitudes just by watching someone else. Observational learning is defined as the process of learning by watching others, retaining the information, and then later replicating the behaviors that were observed.
Several learning theories, such as classical conditioning and operant conditioning, emphasize how direct experience, reinforcement, or punishment can lead to learning. However, a great deal of learning happens indirectly.
For example, think about how a child may watch adults waving at one another and then imitates these actions later on. A tremendous amount of learning happens through this process. In psychology, this is referred to as observational learning.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Observational Learning at a Glance
Observational learning is sometimes called shaping, modeling, and vicarious reinforcement. While it can occur at any point in life, it tends to be the most common during childhood. It also plays a vital role in the socialization process.
Children learn how to behave and respond to others by observing how their parent(s) and/or caregivers interact with others. Of course, we don’t just imitate every behavior we see. Factors like how much we relate to the model and our confidence in our abilities can also determine whether we mimic those actions.
Understanding how this process works can help us better recognize when learning through observation is most helpful (like when we’re learning a new skill) or when it might be detrimental ( like when we are influenced by negative behaviors we see on social media).
A Closer Look at the History of Observational Learning
Researchers haven’t always placed a lot of emphasis on how we learn by watching others. In the past, certain schools of thought have emphasized unconscious forces, environmental associations, or rewards and punishments. Psychologist Albert Bandura is the researcher most often associated with learning through observation. He and others have demonstrated that we naturally engage in observational learning by interacting with family, friends, peers, and others.
Studies suggest that imitation with social understanding tends to begin around 2 years old but will vary depending on the specific child.
In the past, research has claimed that newborns are capable of imitation, but this likely isn’t true, as newborns often react to stimuli in a way that may seem like imitation but isn’t.
Researchers have found that infants’ ability to imitate develops by being imitated. Researchers have found that sensitive caregivers who copy what their babies do (like mimicking their sounds and actions) help babies develop their own ability to imitate.
Basic Principles of Social Learning Theory
If you’ve ever made faces at a toddler and watched them try to mimic your movements, then you may have witnessed how observational learning can be such an influential force. Bandura’s social learning theory stresses the power of observational learning.
Bobo Doll Experiment
Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment is one of the most famous examples of observational learning. In the Bobo doll experiment, Bandura demonstrated that young children may imitate the aggressive actions of an adult model. Children observed a film where an adult repeatedly hit a large, inflatable balloon doll and then had the opportunity to play with the same doll later on.
Children were more likely to imitate the adult’s violent actions when the adult either received no consequences or when the adult was rewarded. Children who saw the adult being punished for this aggressive behavior were less likely to imitate them.
Real-Life Examples of Observational Learning
The following are instances that demonstrate observational learning has occurred.
- A child watches their parent folding the laundry. They later pick up some clothing and imitate folding the clothes.
- A young couple goes on a date to an Asian restaurant. They watch other diners in the restaurant eating with chopsticks and copy their actions to learn how to use these utensils.
- A child watches a classmate get in trouble for hitting another child. They learn from observing this interaction that they should not hit others.
- A group of children play hide-and-seek. One child joins the group and is not sure what to do. After observing the other children play, they quickly learn the basic rules and join in.
Stages of Observational Learning
For meaningful learning to occur, four stages of observational learning are necessary. Keep in mind that this is different from simply copying someone else’s behavior. Instead, observational learning may incorporate a social and/or motivational component that influences whether the observer engages in or avoids a specific behavior.
Attention
For an observer to learn, they must be in the right mindset to do so. This means having the energy to learn, remaining focused on what the model is engaging in, and being able to observe the model for enough time to grasp what they are doing.
How the model is perceived can impact the observer’s level of attention. Models who are seen being rewarded for their behavior, models who are attractive, and models who are viewed as similar to the observer tend to command more focus from the observer.
Retention
If the observer was able to focus on the model’s behavior, the next step is being able to remember what was viewed. If the observer is not able to recall the model’s behavior, they may need to go back to the first stage again.
Reproduction
If the observer is able to focus and retains the information, the next stage in observational learning is trying to replicate it. It’s important to note that every individual will have their own unique capacity when it comes to imitating certain behaviors, meaning that even with perfect focus and recall, some behaviors may not be easily copied.
Motivation
In order for the observer to engage in this new behavior, they will need some sort of motivation. Even if the observer is able to imitate the model, if they lack the drive to do so, they will likely not follow through with this newly learned behavior.
People tend to be more motivated when they see the model rewarded for engaging in a particular behavior. This is particularly true if the observer believes they will *also* receive a reward for imitating that behavior. By the same token, motivation may decrease if the observer knows of or witnesses the model being punished for certain behaviors.
Factors that Influence Observational Learning
There’s no doubt that observational learning can be a powerful force, but that doesn’t mean that we mimic everything we see. According to Bandura’s research, several factors 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
People’s tendency to imitate others is of great interest to psychologists, educators, parents, and health experts alike. After all, there are definitely some behaviors we’d love to see others adopt after observation!
However, it’s also important to be mindful of behaviors that we don’t want to see repeated—think aggressive, risky, or destructive behaviors. Public health experts harness our understanding of what drives our tendency to imitate observed actions to encourage healthy habits while also steering people away from unhealthy ones.
Pros and Cons of Observational Learning
Learning by watching others can be beneficial, but there are also situations where it can be less than ideal. While it’s great to learn new skills, it can be problematic if the skills we learn are detrimental to our growth or mental well-being.
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.
Possible Downsides
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, some older 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.
However, a 2020 analysis published in the journal PLoS One found that exposure to sexually explicit media during early adolescence is linked to risky sexual behavior during early adulthood.
Some research indicates that when it comes to observational learning, individuals don’t just imitate what they see—context also matters. This may include who the model is, who the observer is with, and parental involvement. However, some research suggests that early exposure to concerning material may increase risky behavior later on. Researchers suggest that prevention programs and improved media literacy may help mitigate these effects.
Uses for Observational Learning
So, how do we use what we know about observational learning in ways that can support greater health and well-being in the real world? There are many uses for this type of learning, ranging from the classroom to self-improvement.
Some potential uses for observational learning 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.
