Final answer:
Albert Bandura's social learning theory introduced the concept of observational learning, where individuals learn by observing others, incorporating cognitive processing to understand and replicate behavior. This theory explains how both simple and complex behaviors, as well as social norms, can be learned without direct reinforcement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that proposed the idea of observational learning is known as social learning theory, which was developed by psychologist Albert Bandura. Bandura refined the ideas of behaviorism to include the cognitive processes that occur when individuals observe and imitate others in their environment. Rather than relying solely on direct reinforcement, observational learning occurs through a series of steps including attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. It's also been suggested that mirror neurons play a role in this form of learning. Observational learning is not just about copying behavior, but rather understanding and applying the observed actions in the correct context.
For example, you have likely used observational learning when figuring out how to solve math problems by watching your teachers solve them. Outside of the classroom, a child might watch a parent tie shoes and then replicate the action, or consider how a young monkey might learn to wash food by observing older monkeys. In humans, this can also extend to learning social behaviors and norms, shaping personality through the modeling of parental and other influential figures.