Vicarious modeling describes which statement?

• A. You see it be done and think you can do it yourself.
• B. You've accomplished the skill to be successful.
• C. People are there to support you without telling you.
• D. Being told by others you can do it.

Answer: (C)

Vicarious modeling is about learning by watching someone perform a skill and then trying to reproduce it yourself. This form of social learning boosts self-efficacy—the sense that you can succeed—because you observe a competent model and believe you can do the same. The process involves paying attention to the model, retaining what you observed, reproducing the behavior, and staying motivated to try it again, often reinforced by seeing the model’s success or rewards. In practice, it means demonstrating the skill for the learner, letting them observe, and then guiding them to imitate it with feedback. This is different from mastering the skill through firsthand practice (mastery experience), relying on external support without instruction (social support), or being told you can do it (verbal persuasion).