Social Learning Theory

Abstract

The conceptual foundations of social learning theory (SLT), respondent conditioning, opérant conditioning, and observational learning, are empirically-supported approaches to understanding normative human development and the etiology of psychosocial problems. The principles of SLT are completely consistent with the currently popular eco-systems framework within social work practice. A thorough integration of SLT within the eco-systems model will substantially reduce the shortcomings of the latter, namely its lack of a testable theoretical framework, and lack of prescriptive guidelines for social work assessment and intervention.

Key Words:

• Social learning
• theory
• empirical-based approach