Which term refers to learning that occurs indirectly through observing others?

The term "vicarious learning" refers to the process of learning that occurs indirectly through observing the actions of others and the consequences that result from those actions. This form of learning emphasizes that individuals can acquire new behaviors or modify existing ones not merely through direct experience, but also by watching others and understanding the outcomes of their experiences. This is a critical aspect of social learning theory, which posits that people can learn in social contexts by observing the behaviors of peers, models, or even media representations.

In contrast, experiential learning focuses on learning through direct experience rather than observation, while observational learning is a broader term that includes vicarious learning but doesn't emphasize the indirect nature as specifically. Cognitive learning highlights the mental processes involved in learning, such as thinking and remembering, but doesn't specifically address the aspect of learning through observing others. Hence, vicarious learning specifically captures the essence of learning through observation and the influence of seeing how others are rewarded or punished for their behaviors.