LSC 300 L
Literature for Children
Department of Library Science and Instructional Technology
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven CT

CONTENTS:
Child Development Home

Social Learning Theory (Bandura)

Skinner and traditional learning theory emphasized the viewpoint that behavior change is based on principles of operant conditioning (behavior that is reinformed or rewarded will be learned). Bandura and others assert that children learn vicariously, that is, by observing the behavior of social models. Whether a child will imitate a behavior depends on the type of behavior as well as the consequences of that behavior, that is, whether the model is rewarded or punished. Behavior is more likely to be imitated when it is rewarded by a high-prestige person than by one with low prestige.