Question

Barbara just started a new job, and she watches how her colleagues dress and act. The type of learning Barbara is doing is a. observational learning. b. enactive learning. c. operant conditioning. d. reinforcement.

Short answer

Barbara is using observational learning.

Step-by-step solution

Define Observational Learning

Observational learning involves learning by watching others. It is based on the idea that people can learn new behaviors or information by observing the actions of others, rather than through direct experience.

Define Enactive Learning

Enactive learning occurs when an individual learns from the consequences of their actions. It involves learning through doing and direct experience with feedback.

Define Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a form of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences, such as rewards and punishments. It emphasizes learning through reinforcement and punishment.

Define Reinforcement

Reinforcement is a principle of operant conditioning where positive or negative stimuli are used to increase the likelihood of a particular behavior recurring. It is not a type of learning but rather a mechanism within operant conditioning.

Analyze Barbara's Situation

Barbara is observing how her colleagues dress and act to learn about her new job. This indicates she is learning by observing others, as she has not yet participated or faced consequences directly.

Identify the Correct Type of Learning

Based on the definitions and the analysis of Barbara's situation, the type of learning Barbara is doing is best described as observational learning, since she learns by watching her colleagues.

Key concepts

Enactive Learning

Enactive learning is a fundamental way we acquire knowledge and skills through firsthand experience. Picture this as learning by doing. This concept is rooted in the idea that direct interaction with the environment allows individuals to build competency efficiently.
In enactive learning, your actions lead to outcomes—some expected, some surprising. These outcomes serve as feedback, helping you understand what works and what doesn’t.
Consider a simple example. A child learning to ride a bike will adjust their balance based on the immediate feedback of staying upright or falling. Through such trial and error, they fine-tune their skills. This process underscores how enactive learning works.
Unlike observational learning, which involves watching others, enactive learning demands active engagement. Essential to this is how experiences translate into learning, making it both a personal and transformative journey.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a learning principle introduced by B.F. Skinner that shows how behavior can be shaped by rewards or punishments.
Think of it as a system of consequences that guide behavior. For example, a student who studies hard and gets good grades may continue the effort due to positive reinforcement, such as praise or rewards.
Key components of operant conditioning include:

• Positive reinforcement: Encouraging a behavior by offering a reward. Imagine receiving a treat for completing chores, which increases the likelihood of repeating the action.
• Negative reinforcement: Increasing behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus. For instance, taking aspirin to end a headache reinforces the behavior of using pain relief.
• Punishment: Applying consequences to reduce an undesired behavior, like scolding a pet for misbehavior.

This conditioning process relies heavily on reinforcement and punishment, making it a critical concept in understanding behavioral modifications.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement is a crucial mechanism within the framework of operant conditioning. It is responsible for increasing the likelihood of a behavior repeating in response to a particular stimulus.
In the world of reinforcement, it's about making behaviors stronger and more likely to happen again in the future. This can occur in two main forms:

• Positive Reinforcement: This involves adding a desirable stimulus to promote behavior. For example, getting a bonus for meeting a sales target boosts an individual's motivation to perform.
• Negative Reinforcement: This takes away an unpleasant stimulus to enhance behavior. An example would be turning off a loud alarm by getting out of bed, thus reinforcing the waking-up action.

Reinforcement is not just about correcting wrong behaviors, but also about shaping new, desirable behaviors efficiently. It is the underlying principle that makes operant conditioning a powerful tool in behavior management.