Observational learning is a process where individuals learn by watching others. This type of learning is often seen in children who imitate the actions and behaviors of adults or peers. For example, when a child sees their parent cooking a meal, they may try to replicate those actions later, learning skills through observation rather than direct instruction.
This concept was popularized by psychologist Albert Bandura, who conducted experiments demonstrating how people can acquire new behaviors simply by watching others. His famous Bobo doll experiment showed that children who observed aggressive behavior towards a doll were more likely to act aggressively themselves, highlighting the power of observational learning in shaping behavior.