Modeling: The Basis of Observational Learning

Bandura’s basic idea is that learning can occur through observation or example rather than solely by direct reinforcement. Bandura does not deny the importance of direct reinforcement as a way to influence behavior, but he challenges the notion that behavior can be learned or changed only through direct reinforcement. The bases of observational learning are below-

Bobo Doll Studies
Bandura believed in modeling, which is a behavior modification technique that involves observing behavior of others (the models) and participating with them in performing the desired behavior. Bandura believed it is possible, through modeling, to acquire responses that we have never performed of displayed previously and to strengthen or weaken existing responses. Bandura used the famous Bobo doll experiments to show how a person, such as a child; will model behaviors shown to them by an adult. The Bobo doll experiments showed how a model (the adult) could effect the research participant (the child) to elicit aggressive behaviors, actions that were not displayed with the same strength by children who had not observed the models (Bandura, Ross, & Ross, 1963).

Other Modeling Studies
Additional research compared highly aggressive children and children that were more inhibited (Bandura & Walters, 1963). When the parents of these two groups were compared the parents of the inhibited children were inhibited, and the parents of the aggressive children were aggressive.


Disinhibition
Research has also shown that behaviors a person usually suppresses or inhibits may be performed more readily under the influence of a model (Bandura, 1973, 1986). This is called disinhibition, which refers to the weakening of an inhibition or restraint through exposure to a model. The researchers concluded that modeling affects the research participants perceptual responses to stimuli. So modeling can determine not only what the research participants do but also what they look at and perceive.

The Effects of Society’s Models
Bandura concluded that much behavior, (good and bad, normal and abnormal) is learned by imitating the behavior of other people. Bandura became an outspoken critic of the type of society that provides the wrong models for its children, particularly with violent shows on television and violent movies and video games. His research clearly shows the effects of models on behavior. In Skinner’s system, reinforces control behavior, for Bandura, it is the models who control behavior.

Characteristics of the Modeling Situation
Bandura investigated three factors found to influence modeling: (A) the characteristics of the models affect our tendency to imitate them, (B) the characteristics or attributes of the observers also determine the effectiveness of observational learning, (C) the reward consequences associated with the behaviors can affect the extent of the modeling and even override the impact of he models’ and observers’ characteristics.