Albert Bandura (December 4, 1925 – July 26, 2021) is a psychologist known for his social learning theory and social cognitive theory. Critically developing the classical behaviorist approach, Bandura drew attention to processes of observation, modeling, and vicarious learning, making theoretical contributions that have been influential in psychology and education for a long time.
Early Life and Education
Bandura was born in Mundare, a small town in Alberta, Canada, as the only son in a family of six children. His family is of Ukrainian origin. He received his education in a small school with limited resources. During the summer break after high school, he participated in Alaska Highway projects, interacting with different social environments. This experience increased his interest in human psychology.
In 1946, he began his psychology education at the University of British Columbia and graduated in 1949. He pursued his master's and doctorate degrees at the University of Iowa with figures such as Kenneth Spence and Kurt Lewin. After completing his doctorate in 1952, he worked briefly at a guidance center. In 1953, he began his academic career at Stanford University.
Career and Achievements
Continuing his academic work at Stanford University, Bandura published his first book, Adolescent Aggression (Adolescent Aggression), in 1959, as a result of his collaborations with his student Richard Walters. In 1973, he was elected president of the American Psychological Association (APA). In 1980, he was awarded the APA's Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions.
Bandura's theory pioneered the systematic treatment of observational learning in psychological literature. His work, Social Foundations of Thought and Action, published in 1986, became one of the fundamental sources of social cognitive theory.
Notable Works and Contributions
Bandura proposed that human behavior is learned not only through external reinforcements but also through observation and social interaction. With the concept of “Karşılıklı belirleyicilik” (reciprocal determinism), he emphasized the mutual interaction between the individual, environment, and behavior. He developed the concept of “Öz-yeterlik” (self-efficacy), asserting that individuals' beliefs about their own potential shape their behaviors.
Bandura's most well-known work is the Bobo Doll Experiment, conducted in 1961. In this experiment, children were shown violent behaviors, and it was demonstrated that these behaviors could be learned and repeated through observation. This finding revealed that learning is possible not only through direct experience but also through observation.
Personal Life
It has been stated that Albert Bandura had a special interest in classical music and that his name came from a Ukrainian string instrument. Bandura, who married Virginia Varns whom he met at the University of Iowa, had two daughters. Not many statements about his family life are available.
Later Years and Death
In the final period of his life, Bandura continued his work at Stanford University, further developing his theory. At the age of 82, he was awarded the Grawemeyer Award for Psychology.
He passed away on July 26, 2021, in Stanford, California.
Legacy and Impact
Bandura's theory is used as a fundamental reference in many disciplines such as media studies, aggression, gender roles, and child development. Especially in educational sciences, the importance of observational learning and modeling has been institutionalized thanks to his theory.
His theory has provided a theoretical basis for many researchers working not only in psychology but also in fields such as communication, sociology, and education. The concepts of self-efficacy and modeling are widely used today to understand individual differences and learning processes.
