Imitation vs.observational learning : a comparison from the perspective of behavior analysis and the social learning

Observational learning is one of the mechanisms of developmental change, and the skill of imitation is an important milestone in every child’s development. In order to explain imitation, cognitive psychologists turn to a covert, complex learning process, whereas behavior analysts point to the skill of generalized imitation, which is shaped during ontology, and to environmental contingencies which determine the occurrence of imitation. In case of therapy for children with developmental disabilities, if one intends to produce new teaching methods based on imitation or to optimize the existing ones, it is important to understand the mechanism underlying this way of learning. The present article will investigate imitation from the perspective of behavior analysis and the social learning theory. Not only does the former approach provide stronger empirical basis, but it also enables the design of more effective teaching methods based on imitation.