Page 45 - Class Portfolio 2019

UNIT I
PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

• Facilitation - A model elicits from an observer a response that has already been learned.
To be prompted to do something that is not ordinarily done because of insufficient
motivation, a function of the behavior of others - peer pressure and invoked when an
individual's learning is affected by the activity.
• Creativity - Observing several models performing and then adapting a combination of
characteristics or styles.
Elements of Observational Learning
• Attention - We cannot learn if we are not focused on the task. If we see something as
being novel or different in some way, we are more likely to make it the focus of their
attention. Social contexts help to reinforce these perceptions.
• Retention - We learn by internalizing information in our memories. We recall that
information later when we are required to respond to a situation that is similar the situation
within which we first learned the information.
• Production - We reproduce previously learned information (behavior, skills, knowledge)
when required. However, practice through mental and physical rehearsal often improves
our responses.
• Motivation/Reinforcement - We need to be motivated to do anything. Often that
motivation originates from our observation of someone else being rewarded or punished
for something they have done or said. This usually motivates us later to do, or avoid doing,
the same thing.
Three Forms of Reinforcement
• Direct Reinforcement - Occurs when an individual watch a model perform, imitates that
behavior and is reinforced or punished by some individual
• Vicarious Reinforcement - The observer anticipates receiving a reward for behaving in
a given way because someone else has been so rewarded
• Self -Reinforcement - The individuals strives to meet personal standards and does not
depend on or care about the reaction of others
Bobo Doll Experiment
During the 1960s, Albert Bandura conducted a series of experiments on
observational learning, collectively known as the Bobo doll experiments. A study to
investigate if social behaviors (i.e., aggression) can be acquired by observation and
imitation.
Method
A lab experiment was used, in which the
independent variable (the type of model) was
manipulated in three conditions:
• Aggressive model is shown to 24 children
• Non-aggressive model is shown to 24
children
• No model shown (control condition) - 24
children

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