What are some examples of ways in which observational learning has benefited you in your life? Are there instances in which observational learning has worked to your disadvantage?
I used to work at a grocery store when I was younger. Observational learning was a major aspect of getting trained in such an environment. I remember having to shadow another staff member for the first week at work. I consider myself a visual learner. Having said that, most of the information I tend to grasp is usually through what I see. In this case I was able to pick up everything with careful attention to detail just by watching someone repeatedly do the same tasks.
Another instance would be how I used to watch my elder sister create lists for almost everything she did, which I believe to be a good habit to have acquired from her. Today my life revolves around task lists each and every day of my life, which in turn plays a significant role in my daily performance.
On the other hand observational learning has sometimes worked to my disadvantage in terms of watching someone do something in an improper way. Again I am referring to working at the grocery store. There have been instances where a supervisor would show me a ‘shortcut’ to a particular task, which I would then learn as I am shown. In the long run this has proved ineffective in the work environment as shortcuts do not necessarily solve issues all the time. Retraining with certain minor tasks was needed as a result of this.
Another aspect of how observational learning can be a disadvantage would be if a person solely relies on observational learning. If the source of this learning is removed, issues may arise for the observational learner.
As an eyewitness to a crime, how could you use information in this chapter to improve your memory for specific details? If you were a juror, what would you say to the other jurors about the reliability of eyewitness testimony?
I would use the following elements and tasks to form a detailed list and testimony: * Sort the information * Review the information * Use color code if applicable * Make visual aids * Rehearse aloud
Some examples of things to take note of: * The sound of the offender’s voice or accent * Facial hair * Visible tattoo(s) * Visible scar(s) * Piercings * Height
As a juror I would try not to solely rely on the eyewitness’s testimony. I would review the information I have, gather more evidence (possibly another eye witness) and take the time to make further investigations if possible. I would keep in mind that eyewitnesses generally tend to forget details or crucial information as time passes by.
During problem solving, do you use primarily algorithms or heuristics? What are the advantages of each?
If there is a process involved or if the problem is arithmetic in nature, I would primarily use algorithms. This would also work better for repetitive problems. The heuristic approach would be more effective for problems that can be solved almost instantaneously or by simply using common sense or a rule of thumb. This would also potentially work for more complicated tasks as they could be broken down to simpler and smaller tasks and solved using heuristics.
Personally I prefer heuristics over algorithms.
An advantage to algorithms is the fact that the problem is solved using a logical process, step by step. There is little room for error if the specific process is followed.
An advantage to heuristics would be what I have mentioned above – Complicated tasks can be broken down to simpler tasks to eventually solve the problem as a whole.
If Gardner’s and Sternberg’s theories of multiple intelligences are correct, what are the implications for intelligence testing and for education?
Intelligence testing measures a narrower spectrum of types of intelligence. Traditional IQ testing usually offers a single score for the person being tested. Gardner’s and Sternberg’s multiple-intelligence offers a broader spectrum in this regard. For education, schools can use multiple-intelligence testing to make learning more productive than it otherwise would be. A student who happens to like music for example, may find it beneficial to have his/her math class somehow integrated with music.