sotsiaalõppimise

Sotsiaalõppimine, also known as social learning, is a theory that suggests people learn by observing, imitating, and modeling the behavior of others. It was popularized by psychologist Albert Bandura. This learning process occurs within a social context and involves a dynamic and reciprocal interaction between the person, their environment, and their behavior. Key to social learning is the concept of observational learning, where individuals acquire new behaviors simply by watching others, called models. These models can be real people, symbolic figures in media, or even fictional characters.

Bandura identified four main components involved in observational learning: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. Attention refers to the extent to which we are aware of and notice the behavior of a model. Retention involves remembering the observed behavior, often through mental imagery or verbal descriptions. Reproduction is the ability to physically perform the observed behavior. Finally, motivation determines whether the learned behavior will be performed. This motivation can stem from vicarious reinforcement (seeing the model rewarded) or punishment (seeing the model punished), or from direct reinforcement of the learner's own actions.

Social learning theory emphasizes that learning is not solely a result of direct experience or conditioning, but also through cognitive processes. It highlights the importance of cognitive factors like beliefs, expectations, and self-efficacy in influencing behavior. This theory has broad applications in various fields, including education, child development, and therapy, explaining how individuals learn social norms, skills, and attitudes throughout their lives.