Final answer:
Albert Bandura's concept of modeling is the process of observing and imitating the behavior of others, which is a central element of his social learning theory. It involves steps such as attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation, guided by the consequences seen when others are either rewarded or punished for certain behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Albert Bandura defines modeling in psychology as the process of observing and imitating the behavior of others. This concept is a key aspect of his social learning theory. Modeling involves several steps including attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. To learn by modeling, one must first pay attention to the behavior being demonstrated. Secondly, the behavior must be retained or remembered. The third step involves the reproduction of the observed behavior, and finally, there must be a motivation to imitate this behavior, which often depends on observing the consequences of the behavior in others -- reinforced positively (vicarious reinforcement) or negatively (vicarious punishment).
Through observational learning, which is facilitated by mirror neurons, individuals learn to replicate behaviors they have seen modeled by others. This process can significantly influence behavior, including the development of aggressive and violent behaviors, as demonstrated in Bandura's famous Bobo doll experiment. In this study, children who observed an adult model being rewarded or not punished for aggressive behavior toward the doll were more likely to imitate that behavior.