Social Learning

Social learning is a theory that emphasizes the importance of observing, modeling, and imitating the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. It posits that learning occurs within a social context and can happen through interactions with others, without the need for direct reinforcement or punishment. Key components of social learning include attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation, which influence an individual’s ability to learn from their environment. This approach highlights the role of social influences, such as culture and community, in shaping knowledge and behavior. Social learning theory was largely developed by psychologist Albert Bandura, who introduced concepts such as observational learning and the social learning process, demonstrating that individuals can acquire new behaviors simply by watching others.