Who developed the social learning theory in psychology?

Who developed the social learning theory in psychology?

• A. Albert Bandura
• B. B.F. Skinner
• C. Jean Piaget
• D. Noam Chomsky

Answer: (A)

Social learning theory explains that people learn by watching and imitating others in social contexts, not just through direct experience and reinforcement. Albert Bandura developed this idea, showing that learning can occur through observing a model and the consequences that follow, even if the observer isn’t directly punished or rewarded. His well-known Bobo doll studies demonstrated that children copied aggressive actions after seeing adults act aggressively, underscoring the power of modeling and observational learning. Bandura also emphasized that learning involves cognitive processes—attention, memory, and motivation—and that behavior is shaped by the interaction of the person, their actions, and the environment in what’s called reciprocal determinism. This broader view sets social learning apart from simpler stimulus–response accounts. For context, the other researchers listed are associated with different theories: Skinner is known for operant conditioning, focusing on how behavior is shaped by reinforcement and punishment; Piaget is linked to stages of cognitive development in children; Chomsky is known for ideas about language acquisition and universal grammar.

Social learning theory explains that people learn by watching and imitating others in social contexts, not just through direct experience and reinforcement. Albert Bandura developed this idea, showing that learning can occur through observing a model and the consequences that follow, even if the observer isn’t directly punished or rewarded. His well-known Bobo doll studies demonstrated that children copied aggressive actions after seeing adults act aggressively, underscoring the power of modeling and observational learning.

Bandura also emphasized that learning involves cognitive processes—attention, memory, and motivation—and that behavior is shaped by the interaction of the person, their actions, and the environment in what’s called reciprocal determinism. This broader view sets social learning apart from simpler stimulus–response accounts.

For context, the other researchers listed are associated with different theories: Skinner is known for operant conditioning, focusing on how behavior is shaped by reinforcement and punishment; Piaget is linked to stages of cognitive development in children; Chomsky is known for ideas about language acquisition and universal grammar.