Observing the Observer: Self-Regulation in the Observational Learning of Motor Skills

Motor skills are among the most basic and prevalent types of knowledge that individuals must acquire over the life span, and observational learning is one of the primary ways in which individuals acquire new knowledge and skills. Observational learning of a motor skill involves: (1) observation of the model, which allows one to imitate and understand a modeled demonstration, and (2) self-observation, which allows one to actively regulate one's own learning and performance of a motor skill. Few, if any, theoretical treatments of observational learning examine how self-regulation influences observational learning of motor skill. The text examines observation of the modeled performance, including three moderators of observational learning: The properties of the model, the nature of the task, and observer determinants. Observer determinants are examined at length, especially self-regulation of learning (including the effects of perceived self-efficacy, goal setting, and expertise).