Exploring the Role of Social Interaction in Observational Learning

Srisindhu, B (2025) Exploring the Role of Social Interaction in Observational Learning. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (MS Dissertation of B Srisindhu (20MS194)) 20MS194_Thesis_file.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (21MB)

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate the role of social interaction in observational learning by exploring whether an observer can learn a task solely by watching a demonstrator perform it, and whether social interaction influences the performance of the observer. Firstly, to test this we designed a water maze-based observational learning task using the Morris Water Maze apparatus. The experimental design involves three groups of mice, Interacting observers, Non-interacting observers and Demonstrators. Demonstrator mice are pre-trained to locate a hidden platform in the maze, and are observed by Observer mice (both Interacting and Non-Interacting groups) while they are engaged in the navigational search. In one subgroup, Observers interact with Demonstrators before navigating to the platform, while in another subgroup, Observers navigate directly to the platform without prior interaction. From our initial results comparing performance across these groups, we evaluate and establish a social learning paradigm where the mice learn and acquire spatial memory of the platform location from its con-specific through simple observation. To asses the remote memory, we conducted a probe trail 30 days after the initial learning trails for both Observers and Demonstrators. We aim to evaluate the long-term consolidation and encoding of spatial memories. The results indicated a subtle difference in performance between the interacting and non-interacting groups. To further investigate how increasing familiarity affects learning outcomes, we housed the demonstrator and observer together before conducting the observational learning task. Our results suggest that observational learning is occurring, and extended trials are needed to further assess their learning.

Actions (login required)

View Item