Social learning theory

<p>Social learning theory is a psychological theory of <a href="/facts/Social_behavior/RJtLfpfE">social behavior</a> that explains how people aquire new behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions through observing and imitating others. It states that <a href="/facts/Learning/lehEKRjC">learning</a> is a <a href="/facts/Cognitive_process/ga0tSBul">cognitive process</a> that occurs within a <a href="/facts/Social_context/FQwohJQF">social context</a> and can occur purely through observation or direct instruction, even without physical practice or direct <a href="/facts/Reinforcement/bn271VLa">reinforcement</a>. In addition to the observation of behavior, learning also occurs through the observation of rewards and punishments, a process known as vicarious reinforcement. When a particular behavior is consistently rewarded, it will most likely persist; conversely, if a particular behavior is constantly punished, it will most likely desist. The theory expands on traditional <a href="/facts/Behaviorism/8DHljqrh">behavioral theories</a>, in which behavior is governed solely by reinforcements, by placing emphasis on the important roles of various internal processes in the learning individual. <a href="/facts/Albert_Bandura/mk9nnBKP">Albert Bandura</a> is widely recognized for developing and studying.
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Social learning theory open-in-new

Social learning theory