Who is the key theorist known for demonstrating Social Learning Theory through the Bobo doll experiment?

The key theorist known for demonstrating Social Learning Theory through the Bobo doll experiment is Albert Bandura. His research illustrated how individuals, particularly children, learn behaviors through the observation of others. The Bobo doll experiment specifically showed that children who observed aggressive behavior towards the doll were more likely to imitate that behavior themselves.

Bandura's work emphasized the impact of modeling and imitation in the learning process, showcasing that learning can occur in social contexts beyond direct reinforcement or punishment, which significantly expanded the understanding of behavioral development. This experiment serves as a foundational study in psychology, establishing the importance of observational learning in behavior and indicating that social factors play a crucial role in the development of aggressive behaviors.