Which psychologist developed the Social Learning Theory, emphasizing that children learn through observation and imitation?

The psychologist who developed the Social Learning Theory is Albert Bandura. His theory emphasizes the process of learning through observation and imitation, suggesting that individuals can acquire new behaviors simply by watching others, rather than through direct experience alone. Bandura's work highlighted the importance of models in shaping behavior, particularly in children, who are naturally inclined to observe and mimic those around them, such as parents, peers, or media figures.

This concept is further illustrated in Bandura's famous Bobo doll experiment, which demonstrated how children would imitate aggressive behavior observed in adults. This work underscored the significance of social context in learning and laid the foundation for understanding how behavior can be influenced by environment, rather than solely by conditioning or reinforcement.