Which of the following statements best describes the importance of attention in social learning?

• A. Attention is necessary because individuals must first notice and focus on a model's behavior in order to learn from it.
• B. Attention is important only if the model is rewarded, otherwise it has no effect on learning.
• C. Attention only matters after the behavior has been performed, not during the observation phase.
• D. Attention is not important, as social learning occurs automatically regardless of whether the model is observed closely.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of attention in social learning by recalling that social learning theory emphasizes the importance of observing and imitating others' behaviors.
2. Step 2: Recognize that attention is the initial cognitive process where an individual must notice and focus on the model's behavior to encode it for later learning.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the options by considering whether attention is necessary before, during, or after observing the behavior, and whether it depends on the model being rewarded.
4. Step 4: Recall that without attention, the individual cannot effectively process or remember the behavior, making learning from the model unlikely.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description highlights attention as a prerequisite for noticing and focusing on the model's behavior, which is essential for social learning to occur.