mediational processes

• What are mediational processes in social learning theory?

  Mediational processes are cognitive processes that occur between observing a behavior and imitating it.
• What are the four mediational processes identified in social learning theory?

  Attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.
• Why is attention important in the mediational processes?


  Attention is important because you must watch carefully to reproduce the behavior.
• What does retention refer to in the mediational processes?

  Retention refers to the memory of the behavior that must be retained in the mind.
• What is reproduction in the context of mediational processes?

  Reproduction is the internal mental process of thinking about whether you can perform the behavior.
• What does motivation involve in the mediational processes?

  Motivation involves considering the potential rewards or punishments of performing the behavior.
• How do mediational factors affect behavior?

  If any of the four mediational processes are missing, then the behavior won't be imitated.
• What example illustrates the mediational processes in social learning theory?

  • Katie sees Alice push Billy and take his sweets.
  • Attention: Katie pays attention to the action.
  • Retention: Katie remembers how Alice did it.
  • Reproduction: Katie thinks she can push Alice over.
  • Motivation: Katie wants sweets, so she pushes Alice.