latent learning

American  

[leyt-nt lur-ning] / ˈleɪt nt ˈlɜr nɪŋ /

noun

1. Psychology. the unconscious acquisition and retention of knowledge or skills without demonstrating them until the need arises or a reward or reinforcement is offered.

   The idea of latent learning suggests that animals, and people, may learn simply by experiencing or watching.

---

latent learning British  

noun

1. psychol learning mediated neither by reward nor by the expectation of reward

---

Etymology

Origin of latent learning

First recorded in 1925–30