What is observational learning? Definition, examples, and tips

Observational learning is a natural phenomenon and a conditioning tool for teaching

Observational learning is a natural phenomenon and a conditioning tool for teaching. Most traditional educational methods we employ today involve:

• Direct experience
• Reinforcement
• Evaluation
• Punishment

Despite the popularity of modern classical conditioning education, much human learning is indirect. Think about how children watch adults behave with each other and imitate their behaviors later on. Human socialization is a process of observing and repeating when it makes sense. In other words, human nature is observational learning.

This guide will review observational learning and how to take advantage of it in your training.

What is observational learning?

Observational learning is a human learning method that involves observing and modeling another person's behavior. When we observe people's actions and their corresponding attitudes, expressions, and results, we are engaged in observational learning.

There are differing studies on when people start naturally learning this way. The fact of the matter is you probably don’t remember when you began learning through observation!

So, observational learning is a natural phenomenon that is a core part of human nature. It's also a concisely defined psychological phenomenon that includes key concepts that make us better teachers.

What is the psychological definition of observational learning?

In the “Role of symbolic coding and rehearsal processes in observational learning,” Bandura and Jeffrey identified the four critical components of observational learning:

1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Motor reproduction
4. Motivation

Without getting bogged down too much in fine details, you should know a few things about each step to create more effective learning experiences.

Attention

The better the learner can pay attention, the more likely the next steps will be successful

First, the better the learner can pay attention, the more likely the next steps will be successful. Attention partially relies on the learner's behavior, such as if they slept well or ate enough. However, outside input has much to do with capturing learners' attention.

Modern learners need to overcome many distractions. However, modern solutions also have specific tools and methods for handling these challenges. Practices like microlearning help maintain attention despite people’s modern distractions and naturally short attention spans.

Retention

Next, the learner needs to retain the information they observed. In psychological terms, this step is very straightforward. But as a trainer, coach, or teacher, how do you help learners retain information?

The answer to the retention question is often about reinforcement. For example, we know that employee training without reinforcement leads to them forgetting new information within a few days.

You can remedy our naturally short retention periods with strategic:

• Reinforcement of teaching material.
• Timing of your teaching sessions so they’re not too much too soon.

Motor reproduction

After learning a new concept or observing a new action and retaining the information, we must reproduce it on a sensory level to understand it. But this usually is far easier said than done.

Imagine watching your favorite footballer score an epic goal. You can watch them do it again on repeat in slow motion, over and over. But you probably can’t kick like them just from watching, or even by trying after watching many times!

In such cases, motor reproduction results from ongoing attention, retention, and practice. You can’t just watch and learn, but you can mimic each step of the kick, practice over time, learn from a coach, get feedback, and make adjustments.

Most hard skills are acquired in a process that looks like this.

Motivation

The crucial step between reproduction and mastery is motivation

Lastly, the crucial step between reproduction and mastery is motivation. You need to be motivated to copy an observed behavior.

Have you ever known you needed to learn a new skill or study for a test but found it challenging? Or perhaps you suddenly felt stressed and tired? These are both natural brain reactions to a lack of motivation. It’s why so many people study hard and do well on tests, to forget everything they learned shortly after.

Sometimes, we have an inherent passion that offers internal motivation. In other cases, as in most learning, we have external motivations. We want to achieve the same result as our models (like the footballer) or get a high score. In many cases, the fear of adverse outcomes is a strong motivator.

Generally, the success of observational learning hinges on the models we observe. Positive role models create strong motivation. It’s best to use models that reflect our values and goals as much as possible.

Why observational learning works

The Bobo Doll experiment was the first academic observation and documentation of observational learning. The study proved something we’ve all seen: children will fight. Specifically, children can (and do) see and then copy the violent behaviors they observe in others.

In this experiment, all they needed to do was show children a violent film of a model acting aggressively toward a doll. The model would kick, punch, and otherwise assault a defenseless doll. Then, at the end of the film, one of three things would happen:

1. The model was punished for their behavior.
2. The model was rewarded for their behavior.
3. Nothing else, the film ended.

At this point, the children would be given the same doll from the film they just watched.

When the model was punished for their behavior, the children were less likely to be violent to their doll. But whenever the model was rewarded, or even when there were no consequences at all, the children were likely to get violent as well.

Observational learning is innate to human beings, sometimes to a scary extent!

Observational learning examples to implement in your online training

There are many great things about teaching and learning online. However, online learning can make it more difficult for learners to experience observational learning in the natural ways we usually do. But, there are always a few methods you can apply to get all the observational learning benefits while getting all the regular benefits of online learning.

Video demos

Add video demos to your online course material.

With any online learning software, it should be easy to add video content. Learning management systems (LMS) like Easy LMS provide easy ways to add video content to your slides.

Video demos are easy materials to add to any course. They are always worth the effort of creating because they offer the most comprehensive observational experiences you can deliver virtually.

To make sure your video demo content offers genuine, valuable observational learning, remember to:

• Make each video slide with one specific learning goal.
• Use the most authentic scenarios that mimic real-life situations.
• Offer positive examples and a few negative ones.
• Use a mix of descriptive infographics, images, videos, audio files, and presentations.
• Explain the decision-making process that goes on throughout the video demo.
• Offer opportunities for scrutiny and imitation.
• Add quizzing features.

Scenario-based learning

Scenario-based learning is as self-explanatory as it sounds

Scenario-based learning is as self-explanatory as it sounds - it’s learning based on a specific scenario!

The other good news is that scenario-based learning is effective and easy to apply. To create a scenario for learners to observe and absorb knowledge from, remember the four stages of observational learning as you:

• Create fictional scenarios where all the relevant knowledge is demonstrated for observation attention.
• Make each scenario have a clear desired outcome that can be tested or repeated for retention.
• Create role-playing opportunities and quizzes that mimic consequences for reproduction.
• Add gamification elements, rewards, and other forms of positive reinforcement for motivation.

You can deliver scenario-based learning content in several different ways. It’s easier to pull off during live classes. Some better examples of scenario-based learning you can use are:

• Sales simulations with audio.
• Immersive simulations that explore consequences.
• Diagnostic/diagnosis simulators.

Easy observational learning with Easy LMS

The good news is that Easy LMS offers all the features you need to make observational learning a natural part of your e-learning experiences!

We offer different media types enabling you to provide any content you like to your learners. If you can teach and create observable scenarios, Easy LMS makes putting your course together easy. It is just like working with PowerPoint, but it is more intuitive. Build courses based on slides and make them engaging by adding videos, audio, and more!

Useful resources

1. Understanding observational learning: an interbehavioral approach
2. How observational learning affects behavior
3. What is observational learning 
4. Observational learning

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