What type of learning occurs when an individual watches the consequences of another's behavior?

The correct answer is observational learning, which occurs when an individual learns by watching the actions of others and the subsequent consequences that follow those actions. This type of learning highlights the role of social interactions in the acquisition of new behaviors and knowledge, as individuals can acquire skills or insights without direct experience.

In observational learning, a person observes not only the behavior but also the outcomes that the model (the person being observed) receives. This allows the observer to form an understanding of the behavior's effectiveness and potentially replicate it in their own life, depending on whether the observed outcome is perceived as positive or negative. This concept is central to social learning theory, developed by Albert Bandura, which emphasizes that much of what we learn is influenced by others, further extending the capacity for learning beyond personal experience.

The other options represent different learning processes that do not focus on the observation of consequences in this way. Operant conditioning involves learning through the direct consequences of one’s own behavior, while direct instruction refers to explicit teaching methods. Imitative learning is similar but emphasizes the act of copying behavior itself rather than understanding the consequences of that behavior. Observational learning is distinct in that it specifically pertains to learning through the observation of others, encapsulating both the behavior and its aftermath