Human Growth and Development CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Albert Bandura first introduced the theory of social learning, also known as social cognitive theory, which suggests that individuals learn by observing and imitating the behavior of others. This theory emphasizes the role of social learning and interactions in shaping an individual's development, rather than solely being influenced by their own thoughts or experiences. While options A and B refer to different psychological theories about cognition and behavior, they do not specifically pertain to the concept of social cognitive development. Option D is a learning theory that emphasizes the importance of actively constructing knowledge, rather than just passively absorbing information, which is not directly related to social cognitive development either. Therefore, option C, which directly states social learning theory, is the most accurate answer to the question.