Which of the following does NOT influence what children copy?

The aspect that does not influence what children copy is association. When considering how children learn through observation and imitation, it's essential to understand the roles of attention, retention, and motivation.

Attention refers to the ability of children to focus on and recognize what they are observing in their environment. When children pay attention, they are more likely to effectively imitate and reproduce behaviors they see.

Retention is the ability to remember what they have observed, which is crucial for later imitation. If children can recall certain behaviors or information, they are more likely to replicate those actions.

Motivation plays a key role as well. If children have a reason or desire to replicate a behavior—whether due to desire for approval, reinforcement, or personal interest—they are more inclined to imitate what they observe.

In contrast, association, while it can refer to connecting concepts or behaviors, does not directly influence the act of copying specific actions. Children may associate actions with consequences or rewards, but this does not dictate what they will choose to imitate in the first place. Thus, association does not serve as a direct influence on the behaviors that children copy, making it the correct answer in this context.