When one monkey sees a second monkey touch four pictures in a certain order to gain a banana,the first monkey learns to imitate that sequence.This best illustrates
A) instinctive drift.
B) vicarious reinforcement.
C) observational learning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This scenario best illustrates observational learning, which is the process of learning by observing others and imitating their behavior. The first monkey learned the sequence of touching the pictures by observing the second monkey do so to gain a reward. This is not instinctive drift, as that refers to the tendency of animals to revert to instinctual behaviors instead of learned behaviors. It is also not vicarious reinforcement, which is the reinforcement that occurs when an individual observes the reinforcement of others, but does not necessarily imitate their behavior. Operant conditioning involves learning through the use of consequences (reinforcements or punishments) for a behavior, but in this scenario, the first monkey learned through observation and imitation, not through direct consequences.

When One Monkey Sees a Second Monkey Touch Four Pictures