3.4.5—Social learning theory
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2027
- Objective
- 3.4.5
- Level
- HL
Social learning connects observed models to later behaviour
Social learning theory proposes that people learn by observing models in social contexts. Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation mediate whether an observed act is learned and whether it is later performed.
Vicarious reinforcement changes expectations when a model is rewarded or punished. Status, similarity, culture and perceived competence affect which models are noticed and imitated.
A child watches an older sibling praised for helping, remembers the sequence and later reproduces it when able. Learning can precede performance, and a different setting can alter the opportunity to act.
Observed behaviour is not guaranteed to be copied and immediate performance is not the only evidence of learning. Identify the mediational step that links model to action.