Final answer:
The social learning theory process activated when a learner talks through a job is retention, as it allows the individual to solidify their memory of the observed actions for later reproduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The activation of the social learning theory process referred to in the job instruction technique, specifically when a learner is asked to talk through the job, is predominantly the retention aspect. In the context of social learning theory, formulated by Albert Bandura, the concept of retention is crucial as it involves the mental processes of coding and retaining the observed behavior before it can be reproduced by the learner.
In Bandura's observational learning, there are four key steps: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. By having the learner talk through the job, they are actively engaging in the retention step of the process, in which they are organizing the observed actions into a coherent and recallable form. This internal rehearsal aids in solidifying the memory of the actions which later facilitates the reproduction of the observed behavior. The cognitive encodement provided by verbalization is a vital component in ensuring the acquired skills and knowledge are effectively learned and can be applied when required. The mention of mirror neurons also relates to this process as they are involved in the facilitation of observational learning, helping us to understand and replicate the actions we observe in others.