When a child observes a behavior being rewarded, this is referred to as what?

The correct concept relating to the observation of a behavior being rewarded is vicarious reinforcement. This occurs when an individual sees another person receiving reinforcement for a particular behavior, which can influence the observer to imitate that behavior because they expect similar rewards.

In psychology, this principle is often explained within the framework of social learning theory, developed by Albert Bandura. The observer learns not just by direct experience but also by watching the outcomes of others' actions. When a behavior is rewarded, the observer is likely to perceive it as successful or beneficial, making them more inclined to replicate that behavior in the future.

While "vicarious learning" is also relevant, it refers broadly to acquiring knowledge or skills through observing others, not specifically the rewarding aspect. "Vicarious reward" isn’t a recognized term in the same context, and "positive reinforcement" typically describes direct rewards administered to an individual for their own behavior rather than the observation of rewards given to others.