Which of the following best defines social learning theory in the context of AP Psychology?

• A. It is the theory that people learn behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions through observing and imitating others.
• B. It is the theory that behavior is solely determined by genetic inheritance and biological factors.
• C. It is the theory that learning occurs only through direct reinforcement and punishment.
• D. It is the theory that social behavior is primarily influenced by unconscious motives and childhood experiences.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that social learning theory focuses on how people acquire new behaviors, attitudes, and emotional responses by observing others, rather than through direct experience alone.
2. Step 2: Recognize that this theory emphasizes the role of modeling, imitation, and observational learning, where individuals watch and replicate the actions of others in their social environment.
3. Step 3: Differentiate social learning theory from other psychological theories by noting that it does not claim behavior is solely determined by genetics or biological factors.
4. Step 4: Note that social learning theory also differs from behaviorism, which focuses only on learning through direct reinforcement and punishment, by including observational learning as a key mechanism.
5. Step 5: Understand that social learning theory is distinct from psychoanalytic theories, which emphasize unconscious motives and childhood experiences rather than observable social influences.