Social Learning Theory - Human Development

Human Development

In human development there are many other factors that go into understanding how social learning theory affects the growth of a child. For instance, children will look up to those of the same gender and imitate their behavior. The role models could be anyone from their parents to their teachers at school, or perhaps, a character on television. By imitating the behavior of this role model the child will learn what is deemed appropriate for society. When the child learns what is approved by his or her peers, the child is likely to adhere to that standard.

Children also learn through positive and negative reinforcement. When a child acts a certain way he/she is searching for approval and acceptance of that behavior. If the reinforcement is positive, it is filling a role or desire that the child might have which will lead the child to continue that action. If the child does not receive the approval that he/she is searching for there is change in behavior. Mutual acceptance is necessary for the behavior to be reoccurring. Also the unconditional love from a parent is necessary for the child to learn and develop properly. The parent can't simply withhold love from the child because they didn't behave a certain way. Positive and negative reinforcement is important for child development but the parent cannot withhold love simply because the child did something wrong. Social learning theory plays such a large role in reinforcement because that is the baseline of every action of a child seeking approval from their peers, parents and teachers alike.