" The process of learning appropriate social behavior chiefly by observing and imitating is known as:

Correct option is D

Observational learning is the process by which individuals learn new behaviors, skills, or information by watching others. This type of learning, also known as social learning or modeling, was extensively studied by psychologist Albert Bandura. It involves the following key elements:
1. Attention: The observer must pay attention to the behavior being modeled.
2. Retention: The observer must remember the details of the behavior.
3. Reproduction: The observer must be able to reproduce or imitate the behavior.
4. Motivation: The observer must have a reason or motivation to adopt the behavior.
This learning method is particularly important for acquiring social behaviors, such as manners, attitudes, and responses, by imitating those around us, like parents, peers, or media influences.
Information Booster:
· Albert Bandura is best known for his research on observational learning, especially through his famous Bobo doll experiment, where children imitated aggressive behavior they observed in adults.
· Observational learning highlights how social behaviors, norms, and values are transmitted across generations and throughout societies by means of imitation rather than direct teaching​.
Additional Knowledge:
· Cognitive learning (Option A): Involves understanding, problem-solving, and conscious thought processes.
· Reinforcement (Option B): Relates to operant conditioning, where behavior is strengthened by rewards or diminished by punishment.
· Conditioning (Option C): Encompasses both classical and operant conditioning, where learning occurs through associations between stimuli and responses, as seen in Pavlov’s and Skinner’s work.