Which theorist described a type of socialization modeling?

• A. Bandura
• B. Erikson
• C. Piaget
• D. Vygotsky

Answer: (A)

Understanding how people learn by observing others and then imitating them is the idea being tested here. Albert Bandura described this form of social learning—modeling—where behavior is learned by watching a model perform it and then reproducing it. This process hinges on paying attention to the model, retaining what’s observed, having the ability to reproduce the behavior, and being motivated to imitate it. Bandura’s work, including the Bobo doll studies, shows how exposure to models can shape actions, norms, and social behavior within a group. The other theorists are known for different focus areas: Erikson for psychosocial development across the lifespan, Piaget for stages of cognitive development, and Vygotsky for the social and cultural aspects of learning, including the zone of proximal development. None centers on a defined modeling mechanism as Bandura does.