For instance, during the emergence of the television in households, Bandura developed research questions related
to violence exposure. Many families were reportedly concerned about their children viewing violence on television.
This research question prompted his famous Bobo doll experiment, where children observed an adult display
aggression toward a blow-up doll. The children were then left in the room alone with the doll and many modeled
the aggressive behavior displayed by the adult. Bandura’s social cognitive theory emphasized the symbolic
environment as a source of influence and that human behavior is based on a person’s environment. Bandura also
became interested in the therapeutic efforts that could be made using modeling. He developed behavioral forms
of therapy based on his modeling and guided mastery frameworks. His original clinical research began with
individuals diagnosed with snake phobias. He noted a number of psychological and physiological changes during
the treatments, such that many gain full remission of symptoms. Bandura also focused on the study of self-efficacy
and how such beliefs could influence cognitive, motivational, and emotional beliefs, as well as decision making.