Training Industry Magazine - Fall 2023 - 40

* The observers are unsure of what to
do in a real-world ambiguous situation
or are otherwise motivated to learn
from the observation.
Social learning theory
Motivation
Bandura's model laid out steps in the
process of learning through observation.
IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING
People must pay attention: They are
more likely to do that if the content is
interesting and engaging, humorous or
dramatic and the model resonates with
the audience in some way.
Retention:
A
memory
has
to
be
formed. If people can attach the new
content to existing knowledge, context
or experiences stored in long-term
memory, they are more likely to recall it
later. Also, if learners can transform the
modeled action into descriptive words
or images, then they are more likely to
remember it later.
Reproduction: This step refers to
whether someone can actually replicate
the behavior they saw. People must be
both physically capable of performing
the behavior and able to visualize
themselves doing it.
Motivation: Bandura believed this was
the most important factor, one which
affected all the other steps in the
process. People must be motivated to
pay attention to the behavior, remember
it and reproduce it. The factors affecting
motivation include:
* Do the perceived rewards outweigh
the perceived costs?
* Do the observers care enough to
replicate the behavior?
* Is the type of reinforcement valued by
the observers?
Because observational learning can
lead to the acquisition of new skills
or behaviors, it leads directly to how
we train.
APPLYING OBSERVATIONAL
LEARNING IN TRAINING
Employees learn through a variety of
face-to-face observational learning.
40
Some trainees may
learn best
through outright
imitation.
Attention
Retention
They work with mentors, shadow more
experienced colleagues, receive on-thejob
training, undertake apprenticeships,
etc. One study showed that employees
who
modeled
positive
behaviors
could improve workplace safety for
everyone. When the number of models
wearing personal protective equipment
(PPE) increased, so did the number of
employees who adopted the desired
behavior. In turn, leaders can help drive
culture change within their organizations
by modeling positive behaviors, such as
inclusion and integrity, for example.
eLearning can apply the principles of
observational learning by modeling
desired skills and behaviors in a
consistent, repeatable, resource-effective
way. Skills modeling in eLearning can
change behavior when learners see
someone modeling the desired behavior
or virtually experiencing the negative
consequences of undesired behaviors.
If the training is interactive, then learners
can play the part of a character, make
the decisions for them, and watch how
the consequences play out. By actively
choosing what the character does
Reproduction
next, learners can come closer to a
first-hand experience.
Observational learning can be used in
training effectively for:
* Demonstrating cause and effect:
Evolution has hardwired the brain
to learn through a series of if/then
statements, where situation + action =
result. It's the experiential way we learn
most of what we know. It decreases
cognitive load (so we can learn more)
and uses more of the brain (so we can
retain better) compared to just learning
facts devoid of applied context.
* Modeling
best
practices:
Observation is key for learning how to
effectively apply skills. Some trainees
may learn best through outright
imitation. An engaged audience will
begin to empathize with and mimic
the actions of the main characters in a
well-crafted scenario.
* Encouraging changes in behavior
through stories: Paul Zak's research
has shown that observing instructional
stories can trigger a release of oxytocin
in audience members, making them
more likely to trust the situation and
the storyteller and being more open
to
changing their behaviors.
The
main characters in the story and the
storyteller all become models for the
audience.
* Showing how to express inner values:
When training relates to culture, a
topic may be a vessel in which we
express belief systems. Observational
learning can help learners recognize
and act on what they value. Training
can remind
viewers
of
their own
values and show the results of
certain behaviors - resulting in either
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437509000759 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201411/your-brain-stories
Training Industry Magazine - Fall 2023

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