What type of learning does Bandura's doll experiment illustrate?

Prepare for the WJC Comprehensive Theory Exam with interactive quizzes, detailed explanations, and diverse question formats. Enhance your understanding and boost confidence. Ace your exam!

Bandura's doll experiment, commonly known as the Bobo doll experiment, illustrates the concept of observation and imitation of behaviors. In this study, children were exposed to a model (typically an adult) who demonstrated aggressive behavior toward a Bobo doll. The significant finding of the experiment was that the children who observed the aggressive model were more likely to later imitate that aggressive behavior themselves when given the opportunity to interact with the doll. This demonstrated that learning can occur through the observation of others rather than through direct reinforcement or experience.

This idea is foundational to Bandura's social learning theory, which posits that individuals can learn new behaviors by watching and imitating others, particularly those they view as role models. The experiment highlighted the role of social influence and modeling in the development of behavior, reinforcing the notion that not all learning is a result of direct experiences.

Other options, while relevant to different concepts of learning, do not directly apply to what Bandura's research specifically illustrated regarding children's learning through observation and the impact of modeling on behavior.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy