The tendency for children to imitate behaviors seen on television best illustrates the importance of which psychological concept?

• A. Operant conditioning
• B. Cognitive dissonance
• C. Classical conditioning
• D. Observational learning

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key behavior described in the problem — children imitating behaviors seen on television. This involves learning by watching others rather than through direct experience.
2. Step 2: Review the psychological concepts provided: Operant conditioning (learning through consequences), Cognitive dissonance (mental discomfort from conflicting beliefs), Classical conditioning (learning through association), and Observational learning (learning by observing and imitating others).
3. Step 3: Identify which concept best explains learning through imitation without direct reinforcement or association. Observational learning specifically involves acquiring new behaviors by watching models, such as people on television.
4. Step 4: Recognize that operant and classical conditioning require direct experience with rewards, punishments, or associations, which is not the case here since children are learning by observation.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the tendency for children to imitate behaviors seen on television best illustrates the concept of observational learning, highlighting the role of modeling in behavior acquisition.