What is the term for learning behavior by observing others and determining its acceptability?

The correct term for learning behavior by observing others and determining its acceptability is observational learning. This concept, largely attributed to Albert Bandura, emphasizes that individuals can acquire new behaviors and information simply by watching others rather than through direct experience or reinforcement. Observational learning involves models, which can include peers, parents, or figures in media, and the process includes attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.

Vicarious learning shares similarities but typically refers to the process through which individuals learn about consequences of behaviors by watching others experiencing those consequences; it focuses more on the outcomes observed rather than the general learning itself. Imitative learning is often more narrowly defined as directly copying the observed behavior, while vicarious reinforcement suggests that individuals learn to expect rewards and punishments for behaviors through the experiences of others, rather than focusing on the broader scope of learning through observation. Thus, observational learning encompasses the wider process involved in learning from others, making it the most accurate answer in this context.