While his exhausted mother was taking a nap, four-year-old Dennis decided to help her out by doing the laundry. He dragged a stool over to the washing machine, stuffed clothes into it, turned it on, and dumped a box of detergent on top of the clothes. Which psychologist and which learning theory could best explain Dennis's behavior?
A) Ivan Pavlov; classical conditioning
B) Edward Thorndike; the law of effect
C) Albert Bandura; observational learning
D) John Garcia; biological preparedness

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Albert Bandura's theory of observational learning can best explain Dennis's behavior. Observational learning occurs when individuals observe and imitate the behavior of others. Dennis may have observed his mother doing laundry and wanted to help, leading him to imitate her behavior.

While His Exhausted Mother Was Taking a Nap, Four-Year-Old Dennis