What is the primary theory demonstrated by Bandura's Bobo doll experiment?

The primary theory demonstrated by Bandura's Bobo doll experiment is Social Learning Theory. This theory posits that individuals, particularly children, learn and imitate behaviors through observation of others, rather than solely through direct reinforcement or punishment. In the Bobo doll experiment, children observed adults interacting with a Bobo doll—some displayed aggressive behavior while others did not. Later, when given the chance to play with the doll themselves, the children who witnessed aggressive actions were significantly more likely to replicate that behavior.

Social Learning Theory emphasizes the role of modeling, imitation, and observational learning, illustrating how behavior can be acquired by watching others rather than through experiential learning alone. This experiment highlighted the importance of social context and the influence of role models, which are central tenets of Social Learning Theory. Through this, Bandura demonstrated that learning is a social process, making it vital to understand how societal influences impact behavior development.