Final answer:
Observational learning involves learning behaviors by watching and imitating others, with key components being attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. Operant conditioning's reinforcement principles also apply to observational learning, affecting whether an observed behavior is imitated based on the model's consequences received.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept in question relates to observational learning, a process described by Albert Bandura. This process involves learning by watching others and then modeling their behaviors. Observational learning can be broken down into several components, such as attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.
In the context of motivation/reinforcement, when observing a model perform a behavior and the consequences they receive, the observer may become more likely to imitate the behavior if they see the model being rewarded (vicarious reinforcement) and less likely if they see the model being punished (vicarious punishment). This dynamic plays a crucial role in determining whether an individual will engage in the behavior they have observed.
Operant conditioning and its reinforcement schedules are pertinent to how behaviors are learned or extinguished based on the consequences that follow them, which can also influence observational learning when considering the vicarious reinforcement or punishment the model receives.