Albert Bandura

Date of Birth: December 4, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: July 26, 2021

Biography

Albert Bandura was a Canadian-American psychologist renowned for his pioneering work in social cognitive theory and the concept of self-efficacy. Born on December 4, 1925, in Mundare, Alberta, Canada, Bandura’s journey into psychology began somewhat serendipitously. He earned his BA from the University of British Columbia in 1949 and his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1952. His early work focused on aggression and social learning, culminating in the famous Bobo Doll experiment, which demonstrated that children could learn behaviors through the observation of others. Bandura’s contributions significantly shaped modern psychology, particularly in understanding how individuals learn and develop within social contexts. His theories of observational learning and social modeling have been widely applied in areas such as education, psychotherapy, and even media studies. Bandura was a professor at Stanford University for most of his career, where he continued to develop his theories and mentor future psychologists until his retirement. Albert Bandura passed away on July 26, 2021, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the field of psychology and beyond.

5 Interesting Facts about Albert Bandura

1. Albert Bandura was awarded the National Medal of Science in 2016 for his contributions to psychology.

2. His Bobo Doll experiment challenged the behaviorist view of learning, emphasizing the role of social influences.

3. Bandura introduced the concept of self-efficacy, which refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations.

4. He was ranked as the most cited living psychologist and the fourth in history at the time of his death.

5. Bandura was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was elected president of the American Psychological Association in 1974.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Albert Bandura

1. “People who believe they have the power to exercise some measure of control over their lives are healthier, more effective, and more successful than those who lack faith in their ability to effect changes in their lives.”

2. “Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do.”

3. “Self-belief does not necessarily ensure success, but self-disbelief assuredly spawns failure.”

4. “We are more heavily invested in the theories of failure than we are in the theories of success.”

5. “In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Albert Bandura was estimated to be around $2 million, primarily through his academic contributions, publications, and awards.

Children

Albert Bandura had two daughters, Carol and Mary. Both of his daughters pursued their own successful careers, though neither followed in their father’s footsteps into psychology.