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... ... middle of paper ... ...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.
The primary argument which most advocates for abstinence only education have is that sex before marriage is immoral, not appropriate and that abstinence is the only completely effective method of preventing teen pregnancy and STI contraction. These advocates also emphasize that condoms are not a sure-fire way of preventing pregnancy and STI contraction. Many of the proponents for abstinence-only education believe that educating youth with information concerning sex and contraception will embolden them to become to begin or increase sexual activity. Such advocates accredit the lowering of teenage pregnancy to abstinence only education (Collins, Alagira, and Summers 12-13).
Social cognitive theory is different from social learning theory because it takes into account cognitive processes including thinking, memory, language, and evaluating consequences. According to social cognitive theory, individuals play a part in their development (Malone, 2002). Cognitive patterns play a very large role in depression (Furman & Bender, 2003). For example, people don’t have a motivation to move forward in difficult times if they don’t believe they are able to do so. Self- efficacy is an important part of personal agency, and a main aspect in social cognitive theory (Bandura, 2001). A person’s perceived abilities and confidence play a part in what he or she does in his or her life. Cognition becomes a motivator or a hindrance, according to social cognitive theory. A person’s perceived self- efficacy helps determine what a person chooses to do, the amount of effort they put into it, and how long they can persist if there are barriers or failures that occur. How a person sees failure is also influential (Bandura, 20...
National Abstinence Education Association. “Comprehensive Sex Education Is Inappropriate And Harmful.” Do Abstinence Programs Work?. Christina Fisanick. Michigan. Greenhaven Press, 2010. 33-42. Print.
Many theories have been thought of over the years to attempt to explain why people behave the way they do. Many questions were brought up when thinking about that and the social learning theory is a popular theory in explaining this. Nobody really thought of the social learning theory too much until Albert Bandura wrote his idea of it. He actually wrote a book called “Social Learning Theory.” In this book, he states that behavior is learned from the environment through the process of observational learning(Saul McLeod).
Kirby, Douglas. "Abstinence, Sex, And STD/HIV Education Programs For Teens: Their Impact On Sexual Behavior, Pregnancy, And Sexually Transmitted Disease." Annual Review Of Sex Research 18 (2007): 143-177. OmniFile Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson). Web. 1 Apr. 2013.
...firm that effective sexual education is imperative to the American society as “rates of sexually transmitted disease (STD), teen pregnancy, and teen births are higher in the [U.S.] than in most other industrialized countries” (Kohler). In the contemporary society of America, the involvement of young adolescents in sexual relationships is a reality that cannot be denied and no school-based intervention can undo the pressure of media and natural hormonal urges that adolescents experience; but at least through an effective comprehensive-based sexual education teenagers can be provided with accurate medical and health information about prevention methods for teenage pregnancy, STDs and STIs, and HIV. Engaging in sexual behaviors is a personal decision and teenagers need to have accurate information about sexual self-protection so that they can be well-prepared and safe.
Albert Henry Desalvo was born on September 3, 1931 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to Frank Desalvo and Charlotte. Desalvo was the third of six children. Desalvo father was an aggressive, violent, alcoholic fisherman from Newfoundland, Canada. Desalvo father would brutally beat up his wife and children with fists, belts, and pipes. When Charlotte was out of the house, Desalvo father brought prostitutes home and had sexual intercourse with them in front of the children. He was arrested repeatedly for refusing to support his wife and children. At a young age, Desalvo father taught Albert how to shoplift and encouraged him to steal.
Kohler et al. (2008)“Abstinence-only and Comprehensive Sex Education and the Initiation of Sexual Activity and Teen Pregnancy.” Journal of Adolescent Health, 42(4): 344-351.
In today’s society, many individuals are aware of the issue of teenage pregnancy and the high rate of sexually transmitted diseases among the youth. One can simply turn on their television and become quickly aware of the popular, yet controversial, discussion of teenage sexual activity in the United States through the news and shows like Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant. Almost ever, discussion about teenagers and their sexual activity refers back to Sex Education in the public school system. Many individuals would consider Sex Education to be the source and/or solution to the problems that occur as a result of sexually active teenagers in the United States. For many decades, Sex Education has been taught in public schools but also has been a topic of controversy. Proponents of Abstinence-Only Education argue that Traditional Sex Education should not just focus on teaching students about contraceptives and how to use them, but instead it should also help students develop and acquire the virtues of prudence and temperance, and teach students the importance of abstinence and the emotional risk that comes along with being sexually active at such a young age. Other people like to argue that Traditional Sex Education should be taught in schools because they believe that informing students about how to be safe when participating in sexual acts is very important. Abstinence-Only Education is the best form of Sex Education for students and should be taught in the public school system because it teaches students the importance of abstaining from sex along with helping them develop or acquire the virtues of prudence and temperance.
There has been a heated debate over the years on whether sex education should be taught at schools instead of abstinence-only. Many believe that talking about sex in the classroom raises the initiation of such behavior, and by stressing discipline, self-control, and self-respect, advocates argue, abstinence-only programs build character in students. Others believe that ignoring the subject keeps teens in the dark which leads them to make unsafe decisions when they become sexually active. In order to fix this problem schools should teach Sex Education, but emphasize that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective way to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Santelli, J., Ott, A., Lyon, M., Rogers, J., Summers, D., &Schelifer, R. (2006). Abstinence and abstinence-only education: A review of U.S. policies and programs. Journal of Adolescent Health 38 p.p.72-81.
The government likes to pretend that if high school students get taught the “abstinence-only” method they would never think of taking part in sexual activities. Statistically this is incorrect. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “56 percent of high school students are virgins”(Martin). For the 56 percent abstinence only is doing them well, but there are still 44 percent of high school students engaging in sex without knowing the precau...
According to the Social Cognitive Theory, changing a behavior is a function of individual characteristics: a person’s sense of self efficacy about the new behavior, their confidence and overcoming barriers. The person’s behavioral capability, expectations and expectancies, their level of self-control and emotional coping ability; environmental factors: the social and physical environment surrounding individuals. The behavior of others (“modeling”) and the consequences of that behavior, which result in vicarious learning. The situation in which the behavior takes place, and perceptions of the situation by individuals. Reinforcements (negative or positive) that are given to individuals in response to the behavior; the interactive process of reciprocal determinism where a person acts based on individual factors and social/environmental cues, receives a response from that environment, adjust behavior, acts again and so on (Edberg, 2015). Ensuring that patients receive social skills training, self-efficacy boost, an educational component and vicarious learning is in alignment with the social cognitive theory. Unfortunately, there are certain regions that suffer from health and socioeconomic disparities that lead to extraordinarily poor health outcomes that would benefit from the implementation of the social cognitive
The United States is notoriously known for having the highest rate of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among developed countries. To reduce these rates, the U.S government funded abstinence-only programs for the youth. Many have speculated whether abstinence programs are the best approach to lowering teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Although there is enough data and research showing that comprehensive sex education is best, Kathrin F. Stanger-Hall and David W. Hall continued to provide data on how abstinence-only education affects the youth.
Theories play a vital part in our life. Thus, the Social Learning Theory and Social Cognitive Theory has a significant impact on our lives. Both of these theories emphasis on the developmental aspect of life. Social learning theory focuses on learning come from observation. Whereas, Social Cognitive Theory is more comprehensive and emphasizes on the process of triangulate reciprocal determinism: behavior, personal factors and environment. Additionally, "self-efficacy" is the core factor precise in the triangulate mechanism. These theories has implication in current life scenarios. A basic principle of Social Learning Theory is that people learn not only through their own experiences, but also by observing the actions of others