What does social learning theory primarily influence in learners?

Social learning theory, developed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. It posits that individuals learn not just through direct experience but also by observing the consequences of others' behaviors and the interactions in their environment. This theory fundamentally influences how learners shift their beliefs and values based on the behaviors they witness in others, particularly in social contexts.

Through processes such as attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation, learners can change their perspectives, which can lead to altered expectations regarding their own abilities and the outcomes of their actions. This shift in beliefs and values can enable learners to adopt new behaviors, adopt perspectives aligned with those they observe, and ultimately influence their engagement with their environment and health practices.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of learning that are not the primary emphasis of social learning theory. For instance, knowledge retention through memorization is more associated with traditional learning methods. Reinforcement through punishment pertains more closely to operant conditioning rather than the observational learning emphasized in social learning. Lastly, while physical abilities can be influenced through practice and observation, they don’t capture the core essence of social learning theory, which primarily deals with cognitive and emotional changes rather than just physical ones.