Children in the non-aggressive model group observed an adult behaving non-aggressively towards the Bobo doll.
Learning Approach
Psychology Notes
A Level/AS Level/O Level
Learning Approach
Learning How We Behave: The Power of Observation
We all learn new things every day, from simple tasks like tying our shoes to complex concepts like algebra. But how do we learn to behave in certain ways? This is where the learning approach in psychology comes in, focusing on how we acquire behavior through our experiences.
Here's a breakdown of some key concepts:
1. Observational Learning:
Think of it as learning by watching others. We learn so much by observing people around us, both in real life and through media like movies and TV shows.
- Example: You might learn how to bake a cake by watching your grandma, or how to ride a bike by watching your friends. You learn by seeing how they do it and copying their actions.
2. The Bandura Experiment (1961):
This classic experiment showed the powerful impact of observational learning on children's behavior.
- The Setup: Dr. Albert Bandura split children into three groups:
- Aggressive Model: Children watched an adult behave aggressively towards a Bobo doll (punching, kicking, shouting).
- Non-Aggressive Model: Children watched an adult behave calmly and ignore the Bobo doll.
- Control Group: Children didn't see any model interact with the Bobo doll.
- The Results: The children who saw the aggressive model were much more likely to be aggressive towards the Bobo doll themselves. This is because they learned that aggression was an acceptable way to behave.
3. What Makes Observational Learning More Effective:
- Attention: To learn from someone, you need to pay attention to what they're doing.
- Retention: You have to remember what you saw.
- Reproduction: You need to be able to physically recreate the behavior.
- Motivation: You need a reason to want to perform the behavior. Think about rewards or punishments associated with the behavior.
4. Real-World Applications:
- Family Dynamics: Observational learning plays a big role in how we learn family roles, communication styles, and even our emotions.
- Social Media: Social media influencers, movie stars, and even your own friends can influence your behavior and choices through what you see and learn online.
- Education: Teachers use observational learning to demonstrate new concepts and procedures. Students can learn by seeing their peers' work or by watching demonstrations.
5. Key Takeaways:
- Observational learning is a powerful and natural way to learn new behaviors.
- We are constantly learning from the people around us.
- Understanding how we learn through observation can help us make better choices and navigate complex social situations.
So, next time you learn something new, think about where you learned it from. Was it by observing someone else? The learning approach sheds light on the powerful influence of observation on our behavior.
Bonus Notes
Bobo Doll Experiment Essay Answers:
1. Observational Learning: The Bobo doll experiment demonstrated that children learn aggressive behaviors through observation and imitation. By watching an adult model behave aggressively towards the doll, children were more likely to replicate those actions, even in the absence of direct reinforcement. This supports Bandura's social learning theory, highlighting the role of vicarious learning in behavior acquisition.
2. Methodological Strengths & Weaknesses:
Strengths: Controlled environment, use of a standardized procedure, clear manipulation of independent variable (model's behavior), quantifiable dependent variable (child's aggression).
Weaknesses: Ethical concerns about exposing children to aggression, potential for demand characteristics, limited generalizability to real-world situations, lack of long-term follow-up.
3. Ethical Implications:
The experiment raises concerns about exposing children to potentially harmful content. It emphasizes the need for careful consideration of ethical implications in research involving children, including informed consent, minimizing risks, and ensuring the well-being of participants.
4. Development of Aggression:
The experiment suggests that observational learning plays a crucial role in the development of aggression. Children learn aggressive behaviors through exposure to models, indicating the importance of providing children with positive role models and limiting exposure to aggressive media.
5. Educational & Parenting Implications:
The findings highlight the power of role models and the importance of promoting prosocial behaviors. Educators and parents should model positive behaviors, provide opportunities for children to learn and practice prosocial skills, and minimize exposure to aggressive content. By creating environments that foster positive social learning, we can encourage the development of constructive and ethical behavior in children.