What is the concept where individuals learn by observing others?

The concept where individuals learn by observing others is best captured by social learning theory. This theory, developed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes the significant role observation plays in the learning process. According to social learning theory, people can learn new behaviors, skills, and responses by watching others, known as models. This process does not require direct reinforcement or personal experience; instead, individuals can acquire new knowledge simply through observation.

Social learning theory also incorporates the idea that individuals are more likely to imitate behaviors that they see rewarded in others, highlighting the influence of social context on learning. This aspect of the theory distinguishes it from other learning paradigms. For instance, while imitation learning focuses specifically on the act of copying someone's behavior, social learning theory encompasses a broader range of influences, including the cognitive processes involved and the social factors that can shape learning.

In contrast, the other concepts such as operant conditioning center on learning through rewards and punishments rather than observation, and cognitive processing refers to how information is processed internally rather than learned through social interactions. Hence, social learning theory most appropriately describes the phenomenon of learning by observation.