What type of learning is closely associated with Bandura's theories?

The correct answer is closely associated with Bandura's theories because he is best known for his work on observational learning, which emphasizes that individuals can learn new behaviors by observing others. This concept highlights that learning can occur through imitation, modeling, and vicarious reinforcement without direct experience or conditioning. Bandura's famous experiments, like the Bobo doll study, illustrated how children imitate aggressive behavior they observe in adults, showing the power of social influences on learning.

Observational learning is fundamental in understanding how behaviors are acquired within social contexts, underscoring the role of attention, memory, and the motivation to imitate observed actions. By demonstrating that learning happens through observation, Bandura expanded the understanding of learning beyond traditional behaviors associated with reinforcement and punishment. This ability to learn by watching others plays a critical role in social learning theories and has significant implications for education, parenting, and psychotherapy.