introduced by the American psychologist Albert Bandura the concept that learning can occur on the basis of observation of the behavior of other people (animals) and the consequences of their behavior, and not only on the basis of one’s own behavior and personally received reinforcement. Vicarious learning can also be used as a psychotherapeutic method in cognitive-behavioral therapy. It consists in the fact that the client is asked to observe and imitate the desired patterns (models) of behavior. The method of vicarious learning, in particular, is used to treat obsessive fears (phobias): the therapist does what the client is afraid to do in the presence of the client.