M6D2 Research Assignment Paper: Observational Learning (Essay Sample)

Observational Learning
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Observational Learning
Observational learning refers to the change in behavior that comes out of observing a model. This form of learning is different from imitation in that imitation only entails copying the exact behavior from someone else. This is quite different from observational learning as this entails observing someone else’s behavior to reinforce your own. Unlike in imitation, observational learning entails vicarious behavior whereby an individual finds a certain behavior to be undesirable simply because they saw it being punished and as such they tend to avoid that particular behavior (Fryling, Johnston, & Hayes, 2011).
Observational learning is also different from operant conditioning in that in operant conditioning behavior increases when there is reinforcement and decreases when there is a punisher. This means that if an individual wants to increase a behavior using operant conditioning, they will provi...