Chapter 5 - Social Cognitive Theory

Social Cognitive Theory

Learning by observation and modelling. Learning involves a mental, rather than behavioural change

What are the 4 underlying principles of social cognitive theory

• People can learn by observing other’s behaviour and the consequences that result

• Learning can occur without a change in behaviour (as they observe from other)

• Cognition plays important roles in learning

• People can have considerable control over their actions and environment

What are the 7 cognitive factors in social cognitive theory

• Learning involves a mental change, rather than a behavioural change

• Learners must be aware of existing response-consequence contingencies (eg, a punishment by giving the child an F grade is insufficient for improvement)

• Certain cognitive processes are essential for learning to occur (eg, paying attention, rehearsing aspects)

• Learners form expectations for future response-consequences contingencies (formation of outcome expectation) which can be an incentive

• Learner also forms beliefs about their ability to perform various behaviour - efficacy expectation

• Outcome and efficacy expectations influence cognitive processes that underlie learning

• The non-occurrence of expected consequences is an influential consequence in and of itself. The surprise and emotional effect of an outcome not occuring can shift the mental change. eg when peopl se others misbehave without consquences, they are more likely to misbehave themselves

What is reciprocal causation

Environment (general conditions and immediate stimuli), Person, and the Behaviour (the individual’s observable actions and reactions) reciprocally influences each other

eg. person’s perception of environment influences behaviour

thhe behaviour affect both the environment and personal variables

What is self efficacy

Learners ar more likely to engage in certain behaviours when they believe they can execute the behaviour successfully. The question that one asks themselve is “how well can I do such and such?”

Refers the the learner’s belief about their competence

How does self efficacy affects behavior and cognition?

Activity choice, goals, effort and persistance

What are the the factors in the development of self-efficacy?

Previous successes and failures

Current physiological state

Massages from others

Succsses and failures of others

What are the conditions for effective modeling?

Attention

Retention

Motor reproduction

Motivation