Low (conjunctive), medium (disjunctive), and high (biconditional) level concept attainment problems were used to assess whether high level versus low and/or medium difficulty concept rules yield less positive transfer for observers than models. Direct learning and transfer of models was compared with vicarious learning and transfer of observers.…

Twenty children (ages 5-6) with specific language impairment (SLI) were taught a nonlinguistic conceptual rule under imitation or modeling conditions. No intergroup differences were found between the extent of overall learning displayed. Performance of SLI children was not better under the imitation condition than under modeling. (Author/JDD)

Appraises the respective contribution of initial competence and of imitation of modeled response in the observational learning of conservation among first grade children. (HOD)

The effects of observing a model and of providing a response rule on the learning, transfer, and retention of a dial-reading, numerical concept were studied in 144 third-graders. Different experimenters conducted the immediate learning procedures versus the measurements of retention. No extrinsic reinforcers were promised or dispensed. The…