Which of the following is a mediational process in modelling?

• A. Attention
• B. Reward
• C. Conditioning
• D. Reflex

Answer: (A)

Attention is the mediational process in modelling. In Bandura’s social learning framework, learning from a model happens through cognitive steps that occur after observing but before performing the behavior. Paying attention to the model is crucial because it determines whether the action is noticed, encoded, and later retrieved for imitation; factors like how interesting, relevant, or distinctive the model appears can boost attention. If attention isn’t given, the learner won’t retain or reproduce the behavior, regardless of any reinforcement. Reward relates to motivation and reinforcement but isn’t itself a mediational step in modelling. Conditioning and reflex are tied to automatic or learned associations and reflexive responses, not the cognitive mediating processes Bandura emphasized.