Latent Learning

Refers to the learning of operant behavior simply through exposure to a situation without reinforcement or punishment, and without expressing the behavior at that time. For example, a man may learn where paper towels are in a grocery store simply by seeing them on a shelf and remembering their location. If he needs to buy paper towels the next time he goes to the same store, he will be able immediately to walk to the proper location. (See: cognitive map)

It differs from observational learning in that, with latent learning, one is observing and remembering aspects of a situation, whereas with observational learning, one is observing and imitating the behaviors of another.

See: associative learning
See: classical conditioning
See: instrumental learning
See: operant conditioning
See: vicarious conditioning