What key concept does social-cognitive learning theory focus on?

Social-cognitive learning theory emphasizes the interaction between personal factors, behavior, and the environment, encapsulating the idea that people actively shape their behaviors and thoughts through their experiences and social contexts. This perspective posits that behavior is influenced not just by individual traits or environmental factors alone, but by the dynamic interplay between the two.

By focusing on the mutual influence of person and situation, social-cognitive learning theory highlights how individuals are both shaped by their surroundings and also contribute to shaping those very environments through their actions and choices. This concept is vital for understanding behavior in a more holistic way, recognizing that conditions and personal characteristics are often interdependent.

Other options center on different psychological theories or mechanisms that do not align with the social-cognitive framework. For example, genetics primarily involve biological processes, the unconscious mind relates to psychodynamic perspectives, and early childhood experiences are closely associated with attachment and development theories rather than the reciprocal nature of personality and environment emphasized by social-cognitive learning theory.