Final answer:
Observational learning involves learning by watching others and does not require direct experience of a behavior. Modeling is an example of observational learning, where an individual imitates a model's behavior, which is influenced by attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concepts in question pertain to the mechanisms behind how individuals learn from the behaviors of others. Observational learning is a crucial aspect of social learning theory where learning occurs by watching others and then imitating, or modeling, what they do or say. This type of learning is facilitated by mirror neurons in the brain which are thought to enable the imitation and understanding of others' actions.
Modeling, as a form of observational learning, involves an observer imitating a model's behavior. It requires the observer to go through the process of attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. Motivation is a significant factor in this process, as it influences whether an individual will attempt to imitate the observed behavior, and is affected by the observation of consequences—known as vicarious reinforcement or punishment.
Vicarious reinforcement/punishment indicates that an observer does not need to experience the behavior's consequences directly. Instead, they learn by observing the outcomes of another's actions and are more or less likely to replicate that behavior based on whether the model was rewarded or punished.
It's important to correct the initial assertion that observational learning does not involve directly experiencing the behavior and its consequences; it specifically entails learning by observing others. Additionally, contrary to what was stated, motivation indeed plays a crucial role in observational learning and modeling.