Social learning is an extension of:

Social learning theory, prominently developed by Albert Bandura, posits that individuals learn through observing others' behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes of those behaviors. This theory is fundamentally an extension of cognitive learning because it emphasizes the crucial role of mental processes in learning. Key cognitive elements include attention (observing the model), retention (remembering the observed behavior), reproduction (performing the behavior), and motivation (the will to perform it). Unlike purely behavioral theories, social learning acknowledges internal thought processes, beliefs, and expectations. Operant learning (Skinner) focuses on learning through consequences (reinforcement and punishment) without explicitly emphasizing internal cognitive states. Classical conditioning (Pavlov) involves learning through association between stimuli, primarily involuntary responses. Programmed learning is a method of instruction, not a foundational theory of how learning occurs. Thus, social learning's focus on mental processes makes it a direct evolution of cognitive learning principles.