Studies of Imitative Learning and Vicarious Reinforcement

Abstract

This article examined theoretical and practical aspects of vicarious reinforcement. Vicarious reinforcement is described as a metaphor, created by drawing attention to the similarities between vicarious and direct reinforcement. If vicarious reinforcement is analogous to direct reinforcement, it is possible to treat them in the same way. A series of experiments with 60 children were conducted to translate the metaphor into concrete operations. The dependent variable was percentage of time spent in imitative play. The independent variables were the systematic application of vicarious punishment, vicarious reinforcement, and neutral consequences. The prediction that vicarious reinforcement increases target behaviors and vicarious punishment decreases target behaviors did not hold. Analysis showed variation between and within subjects in behavioral reactions to vicarious reinforcement and punishment. In actual use, there are methodological complexities in application of vicarious events.