Discuss the nature and importance of observational learning and discuss Bandura's view on whether reinforcement affects learning or performance

What will be an ideal response?

Albert Bandura outlined the theory of observational learning, in which vicarious conditioning occurs by an organism watching another organism (a model) be conditioned. Observational learning can occur for both classical and operant conditioning.

In order for observational learning to take place, four key processes are at work. The organism must pay attention to the model, retain the information observed, and be able to reproduce the behavior. Finally, an observed response is unlikely to be reproduced unless the organism is motivated to do so; that is, the organism expects there to be a pay off. According to Bandura, reinforcement influences which responses one will perform more than it influences the acquisition of new responses.