Sharon knows that Kathy frequently completes her assignments long after they are due. She has noticed that their teacher willing
ly accepts Kathy’s late assignments because Kathy always has a creative excuse for turning them in late. Sharon begins to do the same thing—she turns in assignments past the due date and makes up excuses for why she is late. Sharon’s increase in excuse-making is due to:
It is very likely that two different processes are taking place in this example. First of all, we are talking about modeling. Modeling refers to a method of learning in which the person learn by imitation alone, without any specific verbal directions. This is the case in this example, as Sharon is copying Kathy's behaviour.
Moreover, the process of vicarious reinforcement is also taking place here. This is a process in which a person becomes more likely to engage in a particular behaviour due to observing the reinforcement of the behaviour when it comes to someone else. This is also taking place here as Sharon can see that Kathy is being rewarded for her behaviour.
