On the cognitive basis of observational learning: development of mechanisms for the detection and correction of errors.

It has been proposed that observation of a model practising a motor skill results in the observer developing mechanisms for the detection and correction of errors that are similar to those acquired during physical practice. Results of a first experiment indicated that prior observation of a model permitted participants to estimate their errors as efficiently as those who had physically practised the task. Similarly, results of a second experiment indicated that observation of a model receiving biased knowledge of results during practice resulted in similarly biased reference and error detection/correction mechanisms for the observers and for the models. These results suggest that observation engages one in cognitive processes similar to those occurring during physical practice.