Final answer:
A symbolic model for learning is not observed in person; instead, it is a representation in media such as books or TV, making the statement false. Symbolic models are one of three types identified by Bandura, alongside live and verbal instructional models.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the student's question, "Is a symbolic model for learning a model that is observed in person?" is b) False. Symbolic models are representations that depict behaviors or concepts through various media, such as books, movies, television shows, video games, or internet sources, without requiring the physical presence of a model. An example given is how a child can learn behaviour by watching a demonstration on television, which is not an in-person observation but a form of symbolic modelling.
Renowned psychologist Albert Bandura identified three types of models: live, verbal, and symbolic. Live models show behaviour in person, verbal instructional models describe the behaviour without performing it, and symbolic models use representations to communicate the behaviour.
Understanding the types of modelling is essential for grasping the intricacies of observational learning and how people can acquire information and behaviours without direct, live demonstrations.