Observational learning is learning that occurs through observing the behavior of others. It is a form of social learning which takes various forms, based on various processes. In humans, this form of learning seems to not need reinforcement to occur, but instead, requires a social model such as a parent, sibling, friend, or teacher with surroundings. Particularly in childhood, a model is someone of authority or higher status in an environment. In animals, observational learning is often based on classical conditioning, in which an instinctive behavior is elicited by observing the behavior of another, but other processes may be involved as well.
Observing skiing from others
Learning to play Djembe.
Mayan villagers
Pigeon
Albert Bandura was a Canadian-American psychologist. He was a professor of social science in psychology at Stanford University.
Bandura in 2005
Albert Bandura speaking on Social Learning Theory and Entertainment-Education at Stanford University in March 2015