How did Bandura demonstrate the learning of aggression in children?

Bandura demonstrated the learning of aggression in children through his famous experiment involving a Bobo doll. In this study, children observed adults interacting with the doll in either a non-aggressive or aggressive manner. This observational learning process, termed social learning theory, highlighted how children could imitate aggressive behaviors they witnessed, particularly if the adults were rewarded for their actions or if they perceived the adults as models they wanted to emulate. The results showed that the children who observed the aggressive behavior were more likely to replicate it when given the opportunity to play with the Bobo doll themselves. This method effectively illustrated the impact of observing and modeling behaviors in social contexts, showcasing that learning can occur through observation rather than through direct reinforcement.