The spectators all cringed. It was as if they had fallen themselves and were able to feel the pain of the fallen athlete. According to the biological basis of observational learning, the action of ___ might underpin the spectator’s behavior.

Mirror neurons are the neurons that tends to responds when they perform a particular action and when they observe any certain action. These neurons work through observing and imitating through expression, emotions and feelings.

According to the question, spectator's behavior can be depicted through action of mirror neurons which is producing expression through observing the fall action that produced pain in athlete.This pain is analyzed by observers through observational learning.