What theory underpins Bandura's research on aggression?

Bandura's research on aggression is fundamentally grounded in Social Learning Theory. This theory suggests that individuals learn behaviors by observing and imitating others, especially when those behaviors are modeled by influential figures or are reinforced positively. In the context of Bandura’s famous Bobo doll experiment, children observed an adult behaving aggressively towards the doll and subsequently mirrored that aggression in their own interactions with the doll.

Social Learning Theory emphasizes the role of observational learning, imitation, and modeling in behavior acquisition, which is central to understanding how aggression can be learned and expressed. This approach contrasts with purely behaviorist perspectives, which focus mainly on direct reinforcement and punishment without accounting for the cognitive processes involved in learning through observation.