What is observational learning?

Observational learning is fundamentally the process by which individuals acquire new behaviors or information by watching others. This type of learning is rooted in social learning theory, posited by Albert Bandura, who emphasized the significance of modeling and imitation in learning. When a person observes another individual demonstrating a behavior, the observer can learn what the behavior entails and the consequences it might elicit, without needing to directly experience the reinforcement or punishment associated with that behavior.

For example, a child may learn to tie their shoes by watching a parent do it, rather than through trial and error themselves. This method of learning highlights the importance of social interaction and the influence of role models in shaping behavior, making it a powerful mechanism for learning skills and attitudes within a social context.

The other options do touch upon aspects of learning but do not accurately define observational learning. Trial and error emphasizes a direct experience approach, while physical reinforcement is related to operant conditioning. Lastly, memorization skills pertain more to cognitive processes than to the observational nature of learning behaviors from others.