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Strengths Of Social Learning Theory

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The social learning theory was implemented to guide my training by teaching clients about the shelter operations. According to Thyer and Wodarski (1990), "social learning theory, involving elements of respondent (Pavlovian), operant (reinforcement and punishment), and observational (modeling) learning" (Thyer & Wodarski, 1990, p. 146). The four principles of this theory are: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. People had to pay attention in order to process the information. The information became stored into memory for future usage by retaining the information. Reproduction occurs when information is recalled from memory. Motivation required a desire to learn the information. Thus, these four principles are important to the learning process. The social learning theory has strengths and limitations. One strength included helping individuals, families, and organizations with problem-solving. Also, this theory helped with understanding human behavior through learning. A limitation included a variety of peoples' viewpoints in relation to what people considered a reward and a punishment. Also, the social learning theory does not provide explanations for changes in mentality. My professional practice used the social learning theory by allowing myself to understand how new behaviors are modeled. The emergency shelter admitted many clients with different backgrounds and experiences. Some clients were fleeing domestic violence and some where just released from

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