Action-effect binding by observational learning |
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Authors: | Paulus Markus van Dam Wessel Hunnius Sabine Lindemann Oliver Bekkering Harold |
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Institution: | (1) Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500, HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | The acquisition of bidirectional action–effect associations plays a central role in the ability to intentionally control actions.
Humans learn about actions not only through active experience, but also through observing the actions of others. In Experiment 1, we examined whether action–effect associations can be acquired by observational learning. To this end, participants observed
how a model repeatedly pressed two buttons during an observation phase. Each of the buttonpresses led to a specific tone (action
effect). In a subsequent test phase, the tones served as target stimuli to which the participants had to respond with buttonpresses.
Reaction times were shorter if the stimulus–response mapping in the test phase was compatible with the action–effect association
in the observation phase. Experiment 2 excluded the possibility that the impact of perceived action effects on own actions was driven merely by an association of
spatial features with the particular tones. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the presence of an agent is necessary to acquire
novel action–effect associations through observation. Altogether, the study provides evidence for the claim that bidirectional
action–effect associations can be acquired by observational learning. Our findings are discussed in the context of the idea
that the acquisition of action–effect associations through observation is an important cognitive mechanism subserving the
human ability for social learning. |
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