Observational Learning and Social Modeling

Triadic Reciprocal Causation Model

• Observation is a key component of the triadic reciprocal causation model.
• Individuals must attend to models before they can imitate their behavior.

Self-Efficacy

• Self-efficacy refers to people's shared beliefs in their ability to bring about change.
• It is the foundation of human agency, allowing individuals to regulate their behavior.
• Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to control events and outcomes.

Observational Learning

• Observation can lead to new response patterns if individuals attend to models and are motivated to learn.
• Imitation is a process that greatly speeds up the learning process within observational learning.

Regulation of Behavior

• Forethought is necessary for individuals to transform transitory events into consistent ways of evaluating and regulating their social environments.
• Self-regulation is enabled by self-efficacy, which allows individuals to regulate their behavior.
• Self-reflection is key to the ongoing exercise of self-influence, but not an internal requirement.

Fear and Aggression

• Television and other media can generate fears by exposing individuals to frightening situations.
• Aggressive behavior can be acquired through observation and imitation of aggressive models.
• Phobias are described as fears that are irrational and excessive.

Learning and Human Agency

• Bandura suggests that there are two major types of learning for acquiring new behaviors: observational learning and direct conditioning.
• Human action is a result of an interaction among three variables: behavior, personal factors, and environmental factors.
• The triadic reciprocal causation model explains how behavior, personal factors, and environmental factors interact to influence psychological functioning.