What was a key finding of the Bobo doll experiment?

The Bobo doll experiment, conducted by Albert Bandura in the 1960s, demonstrated a significant aspect of social learning theory, specifically that learning can occur through observation and imitation. In the experiment, children who were exposed to adults behaving aggressively towards a Bobo doll were more likely to imitate that aggressive behavior when they were later allowed to play with the doll themselves. This finding highlighted the idea that children learn not only through direct experience but also by observing the behavior of others, signifying that social context and role models play a crucial role in the development of behavior, including aggression. This concept of observational learning has had a profound impact on psychology, education, and parenting practices, illustrating the power of social influence in shaping behavior.