Social learning refers to the process of learning that occurs through social interaction, observation, and imitation of others. This concept is rooted in the idea that people can learn new behaviors, skills, and knowledge by observing others within their social environment, rather than through direct instruction or personal experience alone.

Social learning is often associated with psychologist Albert Bandura, who introduced the Social Learning Theory. He emphasized the importance of modeling, where individuals observe the actions of others (models) and the consequences of those actions. Through this process, they can learn and replicate behaviors, especially if they see that the modeled behavior leads to positive outcomes.

Key components of social learning include:

• Observation: Watching the behavior of others and noting the consequences.
• Imitation: Reproducing the observed behavior.
• Modeling: Serving as a model for others or following a model.
• Reinforcement: Receiving positive or negative feedback, which influences whether the behavior will be repeated.

Social learning is relevant in various contexts, including education, organizational behavior, and social media, where people learn from peers, mentors, influencers, and communities.