Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Observational Learning01:12

Observational Learning

Albert Bandura's observational learning, also known as imitation or modeling, occurs when a person observes and imitates another's behavior. It is a quicker process than operant conditioning. A well-known example is the Bobo doll study, where children who saw an adult acting aggressively towards the doll were more likely to act aggressively when left alone, compared to those who observed a nonaggressive adult. Many psychologists view observational learning as a form of latent learning because...
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Steps in the Modeling Process01:14

Steps in the Modeling Process

Albert Bandura's theory of observational learning identifies four critical processes: attention, retention, motor reproduction, and reinforcement or motivation.
Attention is the first necessary component for observational learning. It involves focusing on what the model is doing and saying. For example, if you decide to take a drawing class to enhance your skills, you need to pay close attention to the instructor's words and hand movements. The characteristics of the model significantly...
Behaviorism01:28

Behaviorism

The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Training Experiences of Behavior Analysts: Compassionate Care and Therapeutic Relationships with Caregivers.

Behavior analysis in practice·2020
Same author

Compassionate Care in Behavior Analytic Treatment: Can Outcomes be Enhanced by Attending to Relationships with Caregivers?

Behavior analysis in practice·2020
Same author

Social Referencing and Children with Autism.

The Behavior analyst·2020
Same author

Observational learning and children with autism: discrimination training of known and unknown stimuli.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2018
Same author

Stereo Knobs and Swing Sets: Falling in Love with the Science of Behavior.

The Behavior analyst·2016
Same author

Teaching children with autism to discriminate the reinforced and nonreinforced responses of others: implications for observational learning.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2015

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism
09:03

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

Observational learning and children with autism.

Bridget A Taylor1, Jaime A DeQuinzio

  • 1Alpine Learning Group, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA. btaylor@alpinelearninggroup.org

Behavior Modification
|May 10, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Children with autism often struggle with observational learning, a key skill for inclusive education. This article details essential observational learning skills and strategies to improve them for better classroom inclusion.

More Related Videos

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism
06:15

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism

Published on: October 3, 2018

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
05:32

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

Published on: December 7, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism
09:03

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism
06:15

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism

Published on: October 3, 2018

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
05:32

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

Published on: December 7, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Special Education

Background:

  • Observational learning is crucial for academic success and social integration in general education.
  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit significant deficits in foundational observational learning skills.
  • Current educational practices may not adequately address these specific learning challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the essential skills for observational learning from an operant conditioning framework.
  • To review existing research on teaching observational learning to children with ASD.
  • To propose practical strategies for enhancing observational learning in children with ASD to support inclusive education.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of operant learning principles applied to observational learning.
  • Synthesis of research findings on interventions for teaching observational learning to children with autism.
  • Analysis of skill deficits impacting observational learning in this population.

Main Results:

  • Identified key operant-based skills prerequisite for effective observational learning.
  • Summarized the evidence base for various teaching methodologies.
  • Highlighted the need for targeted interventions to bridge skill gaps.

Conclusions:

  • Explicitly teaching foundational observational learning skills is vital for children with autism.
  • Operant learning principles offer a robust framework for developing these skills.
  • Implementing practical strategies can enhance children's ability to learn through observation, promoting successful inclusion.