The human mind learns about the world in several different ways. It can be through active memorization of information or observation of the environment. The education system of the past decade was fixated on rote learning methods, where an individual was handed the study material and asked to memorize it. However, the present reforms banish this method as it not only limits critical thinking abilities but damages our higher cognitive skills. At present, observational learning is considered to be of high value.
In today’s article, you will learn everything that you need to know about observational learning. The topics included are as follows:
- What is observational learning?
- How does observational learning shape our lives?
- 7 tips to use to improve your observation skills
- Relation between latent and observational learning
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is observational learning?
As the name suggests, observational learning is when an individual learns new actions by observing a model. They watch, observe and mimic the model. This model can be anyone in the surroundings such as friends, father, mother, siblings, etc. For instance, if a child watches the mother fold clothes regularly, they try to mimic the action.
The higher the status of the model, the more influence they have on the students. Young children are more likely to trust their parents and teachers as compared to a friend.
Stages of Observational Learning
There are four stages to understanding how observational learning takes place.
Attention:
To mimic a behavior from the surrounding, the individual must pay attention to that behavior. The degree of attention can vary based on the child’s interest, mood, and the status of the model.
Retention:
Paying attention to action is not enough, one must be able to remember it. The more times a model repeats an action, the more likely it is to stay with the observer.
Reproduction:
It is when the observer can physically mimic the model. If the latter can finish a specific task within 20 minutes, the observer would try to copy the strategy to finish the task in the same amount of time.
Motivation:
For the observer to learn a behavior, intrinsic motivation is essential. Positive or negative reinforcement can influence the observer to either continue or discontinue a behavior.
Examples of observational learning
Following are the situations where observational learning can be witnessed:
- When non-Asians learn to use chopsticks to eat food or use them as utensils.
- A child who watches their parents curse may mimic the action of their classmates.
- When a child joins a playgroup, they try to mimic the other children to understand and learn the rules of the game.
Factors influencing observational learning
Observational learning is an active process where an individual must put in the effort. Some factors that influence observational learning include:
- Self-esteem
- Environment
- Rewards and punishment
- Social norms
- Age and social class
- Interests
How does observational learning shape our lives?
Observational learning is a subconscious behavior that is greatly influenced by social reforms and peers. It is often used as a mechanism to ‘fit in’ in a social group. Our brain is like a sponge that absorbs things around it. An individual’s personality has more to do with their childhood environment than the things that they learned. The good news is that it is an active process that can shape our professional and personal lives. There are mainly two methods to improve your observational learning skills:
Positive Modeling
It is when a mentor guides the observer through their actions. The model or mentor shows the right way to act, lets the observer practice, and gives them feedback. Positive Modeling is often used in workplaces as it is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to train employees. The employees get to engage positively with each other.
Apprenticeship
Apprentice is a student who trains under-skilled workers for a long time to master a trade. Apprenticeship is the classic example of observational learning as it includes observers who absorbed their masters by watching and mimicking the actions.
7 tips to use to improve your observational skills
Find the right Mentor
To reach a level of mastery in a field, you must find the right mentor. They will help you stay on track and offer you a structured path to reach your goals. As mentors are experienced in their field of interest, listening to their guidance will save you plenty of time from trial and error.
The question is, who can be your mentor?
It can be your parents, teacher, celebrity, or coworker. It does not matter as long as they are experienced and you have genuine respect for them. One thing to ensure is that your mentor must have authority in the field of your interest.
Be selective about your observations
We are constantly learning and absorbing new things. Observational learning is a selective process, however, sometimes we can pick up on new behaviors unintentionally too. Being aware of the behavior that you are absorbing is essential. If there is a habit that you like about your colleague, try to model them. Modeling is when you pay attention and avoid learning their negative habits. However, mirroring is when you copy all the actions of a person. The latter can be harmful because you will be picking up on others’ negative habits too. One must have a clear distinction between the two.
Pay attention to the details
The difference between a master and a disciple is that the former pays close attention to the subtle details. Their years of experience build up their attention span which helps them easily point out when a process is not carried out properly.
When you observe your mentor, you must not merely mimic them. You must pay close attention to the details. Watch and understand the reason behind their steps. The more that you engage with your master, the better clarity you will have on a subject.
Avoid being uptight
Movies and series have always portrayed smart and successful apprentices as serious and uptight. While it may look appealing in the movies, researchers say that people who genuinely enjoy the process are more likely to succeed. If you suppress your curiosity and remain uptight, you may not enjoy the process. Instead of being serious, bring out your playful personality, indulge your curiosities and learn more.
Take good notes
The brain is developing new ideas, and using it as a storehouse for information dumping hinders its ability to work efficiently. Instead of trying to keep everything in your mind, taking notes will help you a great deal. It not only keeps your brain uncluttered but also keeps all the observational learnings precise. If you forget a piece of information, you can always revise your notes and solidify the important points in your brain. Effective notes use technical terms and include all the necessary information. You don’t have to note everything that your mentor speaks, writing the main idea or a summary by paraphrasing is equally effective.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
One who has practiced an experiment two times is superior to one who has only observed the experiment five times. Our thought processes while observing and practicing are very different. The latter stimulates our brain significantly as it raises several new questions that could never arise out of mere observation. Practicing makes our training more impactful and boosts our self-esteem. Of course, there will be discomfort in the beginning and perhaps several failures too. However, once you embrace and trust the process, you will watch yourself expand your knowledge reservoir.
Get feedback
Constructive feedback is one of the most valuable pieces of information for a person – irrespective of their role in an organization. It helps in optimizing the work process and increases efficiency. The process not only results in inculcating better clarity on the project but it significantly improves the skill of an individual. The process promotes some essential elements such as honesty and trust which helps to develop deeper relationships among people.
Relation between latent and observational learning
Learning occurs throughout our life. There is no switch to turn it on or off. Sometimes, people subconsciously learn a habit and they may not perform it unless prompted. Such learning is called latent learning. The difference between this type of learning and observational learning is that the former includes unintentionally acquired skills. While the latter mostly include intentionally acquired skills. Both of the learning styles encourage children to upskill themselves.
Conclusion
Observational learning can help you learn several essential skills in both personal and professional parts of your life. The first step towards the process is finding the right mentor as they will help you gain greater insight in the long run. Your mentor can be anyone who is more experienced than in your field of interest – parents, colleagues, or a friend. Modeling their positive behaviors can influence your professional and personal lives. Improve your observational learning skills and live a purposeful life.
Frequently asked questions
- What are some of the observational skills?
Observational skills are essential to learning and developing as humans. The process can be partly conscious and partly subconscious. There are several instances where we unintentionally practice it. Skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and attention to detail come under observational skills.
- What makes an effective observation note?
The elements that make note-taking more effective are factuality, preciseness, and detail. Once you make your notes and revisit them later, you must be able to recall all the important information. It must cover up the potential knowledge gaps.
- What are some of the observational tools that are used in the research field?
Some observational tools that are often used in the research field include – Observational studies, A/B testing, Interviews, and surveys. These tools help an individual spend time thinking and finding the right solution.
