Observational conditioning is a [[What are the sociocultural mechanisms of learning and how do they work?|social learning mechanism]]. The content in this note is based on Hoppitt and Lala (2013), who propose the following definition (p. 64): >Observational conditioning is a subset of stimulus-stimulus learning in which observation of a demonstrator exposes the observer to a relationship between stimuli at t1, and exposure to this relationship effects a change in the observer detected, in any behavior, at t2. In other words: The learner responds differently to a stimulus as a result of observing someone else respond to that stimulus. This is a form of [[Classical (or Pavlovian) conditioning involves learning the relationship between two stimuli|classical conditioning]] in which the demonstrator's response to a stimulus acts as an unconditioned stimulus (US). The stimulus to which the demonstrator responds becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) for the observer. Through observational conditioning, the observer learns to respond (CR) in the same way as the demonstrator to the CS. For example, if a child observes another child touch a hot stove and get burnt, they learn to associate touching the stove with pain without having to experience the burn themselves. Similarly, if a monkey observes another monkey receive a reward for solving a puzzle in a certain way, it learns to replicate the successful behavior to obtain the same reward. Observational conditioning allows an individual to learn the consequences of a behavior without having to experience those consequences themselves – namely, by observing the consequences that others receive. %% ### ChatGPT Observational conditioning, also known as vicarious conditioning, is a form of learning that occurs through observing the behavior of others. It's a mechanism of social learning that incorporates elements of classical (or Pavlovian) and operant conditioning. In classical conditioning, an organism learns to associate a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally triggers an unconditioned response. Over time, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits the same response even without the unconditioned stimulus. Operant conditioning, on the other hand, involves learning from the consequences of behavior. Behaviors that result in pleasant outcomes are reinforced and more likely to be repeated, while behaviors that lead to unpleasant outcomes are punished and less likely to be repeated. Observational conditioning combines these principles but applies them in a social context. Instead of experiencing the associations or consequences directly, an individual learns by observing others. For example, if a child observes another child touch a hot stove and get burnt, they learn to associate touching the stove (the conditioned stimulus) with pain (the unconditioned response) without having to experience the burn themselves. Similarly, if a monkey observes another monkey receive a reward for solving a puzzle in a certain way, it learns to replicate the successful behavior to obtain the same reward. Observational conditioning allows for the efficient transfer of information within a group, as individuals can learn to avoid dangers or take advantage of opportunities by observing the experiences of others, without needing to directly experience the consequences themselves. It is a powerful form of learning that plays a significant role in both human and animal societies. %% --- Created: [[2023-06-23]] Type: #permanent Topics: [[Learning (Index)]] Related notes: - [[What are the sociocultural mechanisms of learning and how do they work?]]