A process in which an individual learns new responses by observing the behaviour of another rather than through direct experience is known as

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 1, "Social learning," is the correct answer for the process in which an individual learns new responses by observing the behavior of another rather than through direct experience. This concept is rooted in the theory of social learning, which was extensively developed by psychologist Albert Bandura. Social learning theory posits that people can learn new behaviors and acquire new information by watching others. This type of learning involves attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation, which are key components in the observational learning process.

1. **Explanation for Option 1: Social Learning**
   - Social learning emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. It suggests that learning can occur in a social context purely through observation or direct instruction, even in the absence of motor reproduction or direct reinforcement. This is evident in Bandura's famous Bobo doll experiment, where children imitated aggressive behaviors observed in adults. Thus, social learning is a powerful mechanism for acquiring new behaviors without direct experience.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 2: Conditioning**
     - Conditioning refers to a learning process in which an individual learns through association or reinforcement. Classical conditioning involves learning through association, as demonstrated by Pavlov's experiments with dogs, while operant conditioning involves learning through consequences, such as rewards or punishments. Unlike social learning, conditioning requires direct interaction with stimuli or reinforcement, rather than learning through observation alone.

- **Option 3: Experimental Learning**
     - Experimental learning is a process where learning occurs through direct experience, experimentation, and reflection on doing. It involves active participation and engagement in the learning process, often through hands-on activities or experiments. This is distinct from social learning, which does not require direct experience but rather learning through observation.

- **Option 4: Incidental Learning**
     - Incidental learning refers to unintentional or unplanned learning that occurs without the learner's conscious awareness. It often happens as a byproduct of another activity, rather than through deliberate observation or modeling. Unlike social learning, incidental learning is not primarily focused on observing others but rather occurs spontaneously.

In conclusion, social learning is the correct answer because it specifically involves learning through observation of others, which distinguishes it from the other forms of learning mentioned in the options.