Who is considered a key figure in social learning theory?

Albert Bandura is recognized as a key figure in social learning theory because he introduced the concept that people learn behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions through observational learning, modeling, and imitation. His famous Bobo doll experiment illustrated how children could learn aggressive behaviors simply by watching adults act aggressively towards the doll. Bandura emphasized that learning is a cognitive process occurring in a social context and that individuals can learn without direct reinforcement, highlighting the role of the environment in influencing behavior.

In contrast, while figures like Sigmund Freud focused on psychoanalysis and the unconscious mind, and B.F. Skinner is known for his work on operant conditioning and behaviorism, their theories do not encompass the social learning aspect that Bandura emphasized. Jean Piaget, known for his work in developmental psychology, concentrated on cognitive development in children rather than social learning processes. Bandura’s contribution was pivotal in bridging the gap between behaviorist and cognitive approaches to understanding learning.