Vicarious Reinforcement - The Impact of Cognitive Theory on Human and Computer Development - page 9

CHAPTER 2
Vicarious Reinforcement
Introduction
Although learning through action has precedence, Bandura (1986) established considerable
behavior modification can occur just by witnessing actual consequences when observing the
behavior of others. Watching rewarding consequences serves to elicit similar behaviors. Wit-
nessing condemnation will most likely hinder behavior (Bandura 1986).
Practically all learning occurrences ensuing from direct experience can occur vicariously
through observation of other people's behavior and its consequences (Bandura 1986). The
ability to learn and become motivated to action by observation makes it possible for indi-
viduals to acquire rules for producing and regulating behavioral patterns without having to
form them gradually by repetitive trial and error (Bandura 1977, 1986).
Bandura (1986) discovered vicarious reinforcement when compared with direct rein-
forcement has yielded results to a similar extent and, in some circumstances, even surpassed
the direct response performance. According to Bandura (1986), several explanations exist.
Bandura (1986) further expressed that one can be selective and informative with the ex-
isting piece of ideas one has whereby an individual observation, the likelihood of future
outcomes and consequences of similar behaviors are pretty obvious and easy to handle. A
subsequent section of the paper will include a discussion of the concept of forethought (Ban-
dura 1986). Another explanation to support the creditability of vicarious reinforcement in
response performance is that of gaining knowledge by observation. Direct observation is
self-instructional when ambiguity exists in knowing whether a behavior is permissible or
punishable (Bandura 1977).
Whereas only social indications serve to effectively express new types of behavior, mod-
eling is an indispensable aspect of learning as long as we continue to change behavior due
to environmental influence. Even when it is feasible to establish new behaviors through oth-
er means, modeling can serve to significantly shorten the process of attainment (Bandura
1977). The short way around the learning process, observational learning, is vital for both
expansion and survival in that serious errors can result in costly or even fatal consequences
(Bandura 1977) as in the acquisition of automobile driving skills or in the case of medical
students performing surgery. The dependence on observational learning from capable ex-
amples is paramount because the more costly and perilous the mistakes, the heavier the neg-
ative consequences. Some complex behaviors can only exist with the aid of modeling (Ban-
dura 1977).