Gabrielle watches her father put batteries into her toy phone, and she is then able to put the batteries into the toy phone herself without further instruction from her father. In this example, Gabrielle’s father is a
stimulus
response
model
cognition
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: model
Explanation:
In the scenario described, Gabrielle learns how to insert batteries into her toy phone by watching her father perform the task. She then replicates this behavior successfully without any further instruction. This is a classic example of observational learning, also known as modeling, a concept rooted in the work of psychologist Albert Bandura.
A model is a person whose behavior is observed and imitated by others, especially in a learning context. In this case, Gabrielle’s father serves as a model because Gabrielle watches him perform an action (putting batteries into the toy) and then imitates that same behavior. Bandura’s Social Learning Theory emphasizes that people can learn new behaviors by observing others, especially when the observer sees the model as competent, nurturing, or authoritative—like a parent.
Let’s briefly consider why the other options are incorrect:
- Stimulus: A stimulus is any object or event that elicits a response in an organism. While the father’s action may be a kind of stimulus, the term doesn’t accurately capture the learning-through-observation element central to this scenario.
- Response: A response is a reaction to a stimulus. Gabrielle inserting the batteries might be a response, but the key concept being tested here is how she learned the behavior—not just the action itself.
- Cognition: Cognition refers to mental processes such as thinking, knowing, memory, and problem-solving. While cognition is involved in observational learning, it is not the best label for Gabrielle’s father in this learning context.
In conclusion, Gabrielle’s father is a model because she learned by observing and imitating his behavior. This is a fundamental aspect of observational learning and underscores the powerful role that parents and caregivers play in early childhood development.