The social context of modeling

Social learning theory assumes that modeled behavior serves as information which the observer acquires via symbolic representations rather than specific stimulus-response associations, it would appear, then, that this process should follow rules governing social communication. it is also to be expected that the social context and the characteristics of both the social situation and the model will affect modeling behavior. It is posited in this paper that such influences operate through three cognitive processes: attention-instigation, behavior discrimination, and information via model characteristics.