Final answer:
Learning theories contend that people model or imitate behavior that is observed to be rewarded.
Step-by-step explanation:
That concept is known in psychology as vicarious reinforcement. This phenomenon is a central component of observational learning, which involves learning by watching the actions of others and the consequences of those actions. Renowned psychologist Albert Bandura's research on observational learning detailed that individuals, especially children, imitate behaviors demonstrated by models when those behaviors are associated with positive outcomes.
The process of observational learning can be broken down into specific steps: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. During this process, individuals pay attention to a model's behavior, retain the information, reproduce the behavior, and must be motivated to do so.
The likelihood of imitation also ties into whether the observed behavior is rewarded or punished. Bandura suggested that this type of learning is important not only for acquiring specific behaviors but also for the development of personality and behavior patterns based on social norms.
An intricately related concept is that of self-efficacy, which affects our confidence in performing behaviors we've learned via observation. In the broader context, this learning mechanism plays a role in determining what is considered acceptable or deviant behavior within a culture, hence contributing to social regulation and personal development.