Who is known as a pioneer in the field of observational learning?

The individual recognized as a pioneer in the field of observational learning is Albert Bandura. His groundbreaking work emphasizes that people can learn new behaviors by observing others, a process he described in his social learning theory. Bandura conducted famous experiments, including the Bobo doll study, which demonstrated that children could learn aggressive behaviors simply by watching adults interact with a doll. This concept challenged the traditional behaviorist perspective, which focused solely on direct reinforcement and punishment as mechanisms of learning. Bandura’s insight into the role of social context and modeling has had a profound influence on psychology, education, and therapy, highlighting the importance of observation in the learning process.