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Learning via instructions about observations: exploring similarities and differences with learning via actual
Sarah Kasran1, Sean Hughes1, Jan De Houwer1
1Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
Royal Society Open Science
|April 1, 2022
Summary
Learning about others' reactions to stimuli, even through simple instructions, can change our own responses. However, observing these reactions may be more impactful than just reading about them.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Cognition
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Observational learning influences behavior towards stimuli.
- The impact of indirect learning (instructions) versus direct observation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if instructions about a model's stimulus interactions alter evaluative and fear responses.
- To compare the magnitude of behavioral changes from instructions versus direct observation.
Main Methods:
- Participants either observed or read about a model's reactions (positive/negative/distress) to various stimuli.
- Evaluative responses were measured using ratings and a personalized implicit association test.
- Fear responses were assessed after exposure to stimuli accompanied by model distress.
Main Results:
- Instructions about model interactions consistently induced behavioral changes.
- The effectiveness of instructions compared to direct observation in altering behavior yielded mixed results.
- Both methods influenced evaluative and fear responses, but the magnitude varied.
Conclusions:
- Learning through instructions about observations can modify behavior, but may be less potent than direct observation.
- The underlying psychological mechanisms for observational versus instructional learning may differ.
- The relative effectiveness depends on the type of information being conveyed.
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