What is the core concept of Bandura's theory?

The core concept of Bandura's theory, particularly his social learning theory, emphasizes that children learn behaviors not only through direct experience but predominantly by observing others. This process is called observational learning. Bandura's research demonstrated that children frequently imitate the actions, attitudes, and emotional responses they observe in role models, especially those they identify with, such as parents, teachers, or media figures.

In this context, the idea that children will imitate behaviors they observe captures the effectiveness of modeling as a teaching tool. Through watching others, children can learn appropriate behaviors, social norms, and skills without needing to undergo the learning process solely through personal trial and error. This insight significantly informs educational practices, highlighting the importance of positive role models in a child's environment.

The other options do not encompass the comprehensive nature of Bandura's theory. For example, direct instruction may play a role in learning, but it is not the central component of Bandura's model. Similarly, the assertion that children only imitate peers overlooks the influence of adults and other figures. Lastly, while trial and error is a valid learning method, it does not capture the critical role of observational learning in Bandura's framework.