Theoretical Foundation

The foundation for this study is Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory. The social learning theory has three main points which, are observation, imitation, and modeling. According to Navabi, (2012) we learn how to communicate based on the social interactions with others and observe through all stages of life. People can learn behaviors in different ways while others learn through observation only according to Bandura (1965). This theory emphasizes human behavior develops by observing and modelling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. Bandura further explained this theory and human behavior as a constant reciprocal collaboration between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences. It also depends on the rewards and punishments for behaviors. If rewarded, it will continue, if punished, it will desist. Bandura and Ribes-Inesla (1976) mentioned that peers could be the cause of juvenile delinquent behavior, because juveniles spend a significant amount of time with their peers. They may feel pressured from a peer and feel like they have to commit a crime or other deviant behaviors to be excepted. If juveniles do not receive appropriate guidance from their parents, then the influence of their peers can lead them to delinquent behaviors (Bandura & Ribes-Inesla, 1976). Since behaviors are learned or imitated, a child who observes the behavior of a parent acting deviant may display the same behavior.

According to the theory of Dooley & Schreckhise, people develop their behavior patterns through imitating and observing others. These authors also mentioned that social learning theory will help explain why children develop certain thoughts and behaviors when they are young. Their behaviour may be learned from the people they see such as parents, family members, church members, peers or the people in community which they live.  Children from low-income, high-risk areas are likely to adopt behaviors they see among other people in their environment, which is in line with social learning theory (Dooley & Schreckhise, 2016; Park & Zhan, 2017; Unroe, Barnett, & Payne-Purvis, 2016).  Additionally, the theory will help me to determine the significance of afterschool programs on youth’s behavior.