Which theory suggests that individuals learn from the consequences of others' actions?

The theory that suggests individuals learn from the consequences of others' actions is Social Learning Theory. This concept, primarily developed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes the role of observational learning, imitation, and modeling in the learning process. According to this theory, people can observe the behaviors of others and the outcomes of those behaviors, which influences their own actions and choices without the need for direct reinforcement or punishment.

For example, a person might see a colleague receive praise for a particular behavior in a work setting and choose to imitate that behavior, expecting similar positive outcomes. This learning process is often more efficient than traditional forms of learning that require personal experience with rewards or punishments, illustrating how social contexts impact individual learning.

The other theories mentioned have different focuses: Operant Conditioning primarily involves reinforcement and punishment directly affecting one's behavior, while Behaviorism concentrates on observable behaviors and dismisses internal mental states. Cognitive Learning Theory emphasizes mental processes in learning, such as perception and memory, but does not specifically address the learning that occurs through observing others. Thus, Social Learning Theory is the correct choice for this question.