Skip to content

Log in Sign up free

Loading…

Home
Subjects
Past papers
Key terms
Pricing

My courses

Select your courses

Loading…

Subjects

Biology
Business
Chemistry
Citizenship Studies
Classics
Combined Science
Computer Science
Design and Technology
English Language
English Literature
Film Studies
Food Preparation and Nutrition
Geography
History
Mathematics
Media Studies
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Sociology
Statistics

Resources

Browse courses
Past papers
Key terms & definitions
Pricing

About

Sign up
Log in
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

© 2026 GradeGen

Not affiliated with any exam board.

Imitation — OCR GCSE Psychology Definition

Home
Psychology
Key terms
Imitation

GCSE Psychology · key term

Imitation

Definition

Copying behaviour that has been observed.

Used by OCR

How each exam board covers it

OCR GCSE Psychology · J203

Paper 1

Imitation is copying the observed behaviour. Learning and performing are therefore distinct: a person may understand how to carry out an act without choosing to do it. Observing criminal behaviour makes imitation possible, but does not mean imitation is inevitable.
Revise: Social Learning Theory of Criminality

OCR Psychology past papers

Exam tips

1
Apply each process to the behaviour in the question. Explain who the role model is, what is observed and how the consequences affect imitation.

Related key terms

Direct reinforcement
Identification
Internalisation
Nature/nurture debate
Observation

Get more free notes every week

Create a free account to keep every note you open and track your progress.

Create free account Log in

Social learning theory

Vicarious punishment

Vicarious reinforcement