The Social Learning Theory (SLT)

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The Social Learning Theory (SLT) states that people learn by observation, modeling and motivation by positive reinforcement. Albert Bandura believed that observational learning could be used to explain a broad range of behaviors and that modeling was important to behavior. He observed that children would imitate people even if reinforcements were not immediate. In 1977, Bandura conceived the concept of self-efficacy which is the foundation of the Social Cognitive Theory. Self-efficacy is one’s confidence in completing a task or goal. An individual’s actions are influenced by actions that are observed in others and that individual has control of his/her own life.
The SCT is important to health education because it utilizes differing areas, cognition, environment and behaviors to understand behavior change. This theory’s constructs give a range of opportunities to research behavior. Several important factors to the SCT are a person’s abilities to foresee outcomes, learn by observing others, self-regulation and self-determined behavior and to analyze behavior and experiences. The person, the behavior and the environment interact to determine how one will behave. There are several major concepts implicated in the SCT: environment, situation, behavioral capability, expectations, expectancy, self-control, observed learning, reinforcements, self-efficacy, and coping strategies.
In the article, Efficacy of a Theory Based Abstinence-Only Intervention Over 24 Months, researchers evaluated the efficacy of an abstinence-only intervention in preventing sexual involvement in adolescents. This was a randomized controlled trial implemented in urban public schools. A total of 622 African American students in grades 6 and 7 from low-income Africa...

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...nence-only interventions being efficacious. Also, data was self-reported and could be inconsistent due to unsureness or socially desirable responding. Researchers suggested that this study was based on a target population and does not portray whether older adolescents, or diverse cultures will have similar results. Overall, this study suggests that theory-based abstinence-only intervention have had a positive effect on sexual involvement in adolescents.
I would have used the Social Cognitive Theory as it involves a target population with a considerably high rate of risky sexual behavior. All constructs were used to provide the participants with the necessary skills/knowledge and motivation to change their behavior through appropriate intervention programs. The authors made good use of the theory through extensive and multiple programs over a long period of time.

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