Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

Which educational psychology perspective emphasizes learning through observation?

1. Behaviorist

2. Cognitive

3. Social-Cognitive

4. Constructivist

The correct answer is: Social-Cognitive

Learning through observation is a key component of the social-cognitive perspective in educational psychology. This perspective emphasizes that individuals can learn not only through direct experience but also by observing the actions of others and the consequences that follow. Central to this view is the concept of modeling, where learners imitate the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of role models or peers. Albert Bandura, a prominent figure in this area, highlighted the significance of observational learning in his social learning theory, which posits that much of human behavior is learned in a social context. In this way, social-cognitive theory bridges the gap between behaviorist and cognitive approaches by acknowledging that while external factors (like the environment and reinforcements) play a role in learning, so do internal cognitive processes (like attention, memory, and motivation). Thus, the social-cognitive perspective provides a comprehensive understanding of how people learn in social environments by observing and interpreting those observations within the context of their own prior knowledge and experiences.