social-learning-theory

What does Social Learning Theory tell us about behavior?

Social Learning Theory acknowledges the interaction that occurs between an individual and his/her environment.

The outside environment is where a person can observe an action, understand its consequences, and become motivated to repeat it and adopt it. Behavior is affected by structural factors, such as service availability and policies, as well as by social factors, such as social norms and peer influence.

In the application of the Social Learning Theory, the learner (audience) is encouraged to:

Observe and imitate the behavior of others. (For example, Awa may observe her friend Nadia using contraception and therefore decide that she wants to use contraception, too.)

See positive behaviors modeled and practiced. (For example, Awa sees that her friend Nadia is happy with the contraception method she has chosen. This makes her want to copy and model the same behavior.)

Increase his/her own capability and confidence to implement new skills. (For example, when Awa’s community becomes more supportive of and vocal about access to contraception for adolescent girls her age, she gains the confidence to talk to her mother about getting contraception.)

Gain positive attitudes about implementing those skills. (For example, after learning about how to use her contraceptive method, Awa feels confident that she can maintain use and keep on track to achieving her dreams.)

Experience support from his/her environment to use those skills. (For example, Awa learns that her health clinic stays open late and on weekends to support youth like her that work or go to school during the day, meaning she has better access to her counselor and to SRH services.)

How can the Social Learning Theory be applied?

The Social Learning Theory can be used for behaviors that are heavily influenced by both the physical and social environment in which the individual lives. The theory tells us the importance of creating an enabling environment, in which the desired behavior change is made easier. It also tells us that seeing the behavior in practice can help others adopt it.

This can be done through modeling, where the desired behavior, as well as the resulting benefits, can be demonstrated and popularized by role models. Modeling can come from real or fictional characters depicted through different media channels, for example.

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