The Four Stages Of Observational Learning

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Observational learning is a significant element of human learning. According to Bandura's social cognitive learning theory, there are four stages in observational learning: attention, memory, motor and motivation. Observational learning is when one learns new information by watching the behaviors by observing the behaviors of others. For observational learning to happen, the observer must pay close attention to the action that is being performed, then be able to record the observed behavior and be able to imitate the behavior that was performed. Observational learning is fascinating because it is an important area in the field of psychology as well as behavioral science. Furthermore, it is vital that behavioral therapists express a sound …show more content…

The importance for observational learning in children is the fact that children learn from the authority figures and the other people around in their lives, which plays an important role in the process of socialization. Children learn how to behave and correspond to others by observing how their parents and caregivers interact with one another as well as other people. Furthermore, it allows learning without several direct changes towards behavior; for this reason, it has been used during the time that an argument was against strict behaviorism, which argues that behaviorism must occur for learning to take place, which is why observational learning is important to …show more content…

Asking myself the question will help me research whether observational learning or enactive learning is more beneficial to children and see how one or the other will improve their performance. My Independent variable will be two children who I will conduct the experiment on and my dependent variable will be which of the two learning systems will be more beneficial. For my first experiment I will have child number one observe a video on how to make a paper airplane and after the video let the child imitate what was observed to build the paper airplane. My second experiment I will then have the second child watch a person make a paper airplane and have the child build a paper airplane along with the instructor and see how well the child follows along in building the paper airplane. My hypothesis would be the child who is observing the video will be able to construct the paper airplane without any hesitations rather than the child who is watching and following along since the child could stumble upon confusion on whether or not the instructions were being followed.
Enactive learning and observational learning are both important. However, observational learning is more crucial because it is first learned as a child. A young child learns by observing their parents and caretakers. As children get older that is how they can participate

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