According to Bandura, which of the following is the first element necessary for observational learning?

In the context of Bandura's theory of observational learning, attention is the first and crucial element. For observational learning to occur, an individual must be able to focus on the model demonstrating the behavior. Attention ensures that the observer is engaged and can accurately perceive the behavior being exhibited. Without this initial concentration, any subsequent processes like retention (memory), reproduction (imitation), and motivation to repeat the observed behavior would be compromised.

In Bandura's framework, only after sufficient attention has been paid can the learner effectively encode the information and behaviors they observe for later recall. This makes attention not just a preliminary step, but a foundational aspect of the learning process in observational learning.