Final answer:
Bandura's Social Learning Theory focuses on learning through observation, involving cognitive processes like attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation, along with the concept of reciprocal determinism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory (SLT) is a cornerstone of psychology, explaining how people learn behaviors through observational learning. The theory asserts that much learning occurs vicariously, where an individual observes the behaviors of others and their consequences. Key to this theory are the processes of attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. Bandura also introduced the concept of reciprocal determinism, indicating that behavior, cognitive processes, and environmental context are interlocking factors influencing learning.
The theory emphasizes that actions are learned not only through direct experience but also by observing the actions and outcomes of others' behavior. It also acknowledges the role of internal states and cognition, marking a departure from strict behaviorism. Observational learning under this theory is not simple imitation but involves complex mental processes. According to Bandura, the potential to model a behavior is influenced by vicarious reinforcement or vicarious punishment, based on what the observer sees happen to the model's behavior.