Which theory explains how people learn social behavior through observation?

Social-Cognitive Learning Theory is fundamentally centered on the premise that individuals acquire new behaviors and social skills through the observation of others, as well as the outcomes of those behaviors. This theory was significantly advanced by Albert Bandura, who emphasized the role of imitation and modeling in learning. Bandura’s famous Bobo Doll experiment illustrated how children could learn aggressive behaviors simply by observing adults interacting with the doll.

In essence, this theory underscores the importance of the social environment in shaping behaviors, suggesting that learning is not limited to direct experience but can also occur through watching others and processing the rewards or punishments associated with their behaviors. This understanding is crucial in various domains, including education and child development, as it highlights the impact that social models can have on individual behavior.

On the other hand, the other theories listed do not specifically focus on the observational learning mechanism. Frustration-Aggression Theory deals with the relationship between frustration and aggressive behavior, Bystander Intervention Theory focuses on why people intervene or do not intervene in emergencies, and the Responsive Aggression Model outlines aggressive responses to perceived threats. These theories address different aspects of social behavior rather than the learning process through observation.