What can enhance the likelihood of a behavior being repeated after observing it being reinforced in others?

The concept of vicarious reinforcement explains how individuals can learn behaviors by observing others being rewarded for those behaviors. When someone witnesses another person receiving positive outcomes following a specific action, it can increase the observer's motivation to replicate that action. This process suggests that reinforcement doesn't have to occur directly to the observer for them to be influenced; instead, observing someone else receiving reinforcement can have a powerful impact.

In the context of the options, vicarious reinforcement stands out as the mechanism that enhances the likelihood of an observer repeating a behavior due to the positive consequences they witness others experiencing. This aligns with social learning theory, where learning occurs not only through direct experience but also through the observation of others' experiences.

By contrast, individual disinterest in the behavior would likely reduce the chance of repetition since a lack of interest often leads to a lack of motivation. Negative reinforcement from external sources does not promote the behavior but rather removes an unpleasant stimulus, which may not contribute positively to behavior repetition in the context of observation. Additionally, a lack of reinforcement in one’s own experience suggests that without positive outcomes, the likelihood of repeating a behavior diminishes. Therefore, vicarious reinforcement effectively enhances the likelihood of behavior repetition by demonstrating the positive outcomes associated with those behaviors.