Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and Concept of the Self

Vocabulary flashcards covering Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, reciprocal determinism, stages of observational learning, self-efficacy, and self-system concepts.

Social Cognitive Theory

A theoretical framework by Albert Bandura explaining how individuals learn, acquire, sustain, and regulate behavior through the interaction of personal thoughts, actions, and the social environment.

Reciprocal Determinism

The continuous model wherein personal cognitive factors, external environmental influences, and individual behaviors mutually interact and shape one another.

Behavioral Capability

An individual's actual knowledge and practical skills required to execute a specific behavior successfully.

Observational Learning

The learning process that occurs through watching, retaining, and copying or modeling the behavior executed by others.

Attention (Observational Learning)

The first step in observational learning, which requires focusing on modeled behaviors; can be impaired by fatigue, illness, or distractions.

Retention (Observational Learning)

The second step in observational learning, defined as the ability to memorize and store witnessed social behaviors for later recall.

Reproduction (Observational Learning)

The third step in observational learning, involving the mental and physical capabilities necessary to execute or replicate an observed behavior.

Motivation (Observational Learning)

The fourth step in observational learning, driven by emotional experiences, positive reinforcement, or punishment that fuels the desire to perform a modeled action.

Reinforcements

Internal or external responses (positive or negative) to an individual's behavior that affect whether that behavior will persist or cease over time.

Expectations

Anticipated consequences of an action based on past experiences that inform an individual's decision to act.

Self-Efficacy

An individual's belief and confidence in their capacity to successfully execute actions necessary to reach specific goals, even when facing obstacles.

Self-System

A cognitive mechanism in Bandura's theory through which individuals observe, evaluate, and regulate their own actions via self-observation, judgmental processes, and self-response.

Self-Observation

The component of the self-system where an individual actively monitors their own performance and behavior.

Judgmental Processes

The component of the self-system where individuals evaluate their actions against personal standards, goals, or social norms.

Self-Response

The component of the self-system wherein individuals self-administer rewards or punishments based on the self-evaluation of their behavior.

Self-Regulation

The process of controlling one's own behavior toward goal attainment by setting goals, tracking progress, evaluating outcomes, and modifying actions.

Self-Reflective Capability

The metacognitive process of examining one's own thoughts and actions, involving self-evaluations and self-efficacy judgments.

Proxy Agency

An agency model where an individual relies on third parties or social support to help achieve personal goals.

Collective Efficacy

A group's shared conviction in their joint ability to organize and execute actions required to achieve collective goals.