Albert Bandura was a Canadian-American psychologist best known for his work in the field of social learning theory. He introduced the idea that people can learn new behaviors by observing others, a concept famously demonstrated in his Bobo doll experiment. This study showed that children could imitate aggressive behavior after watching adults interact with a doll, highlighting the importance of role models in learning.
Bandura also developed the concept of self-efficacy, which refers to an individual's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations. This idea has had a significant impact on fields like education and psychology, influencing how we understand motivation and personal development.