Social Cognitive Theory Overview

Social Cognitive Theory was developed by Albert Bandura in the early 1960’s and stemmed from the Social Learning Theory. Bandura believed that reinforcement could not account for every type of learning. This theory focuses on how people learn from one another and encompasses concepts such as observational learning, imitation, and modeling (Ormrod, 2008). Social cognitive theory helps to explain human behavior in terms of interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences (Learning-Theories.com, n.d.). Social cognitive theory has often been described as linking behaviorist and cognitive learning theories because it encompasses attention, memory, and motivation and describes behavior in regards to cognitive, behavioral and environmental influences.

Social Cognitive Theory defines human behavior as cognitive, vicarious, self-regulatory, and self-reflective processes in human adaptation, learning and change. People are described as self-organizing, proactive, self-reflecting instead of reactive organisms that are shaped by environmental forces or driven by inner impulses. From the social cognitive perspective, human functioning is described as the product of a dynamic interplay between personal, behavioral, and environmental influences (Pajares,2002).



According to the social cognitive theory, many behaviors that are exhibited have been acquired by observing other people and modeling what has been observed. Three basic models of observational learning were identified. One type of model is a live model which is an actual individual demonstrating or acting out a behavior. A second type of model is a verbal instructional model. Verbal instructional mode is descriptions and explanations of a behavior. The third type of model is a symbolic model. Symbolic models are real or fictional characters displaying behaviors in books, films, television programs, or online media (Van Wagner, 2010).

There are four main components that are identified in the social cognitive theory, which are attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. To accurately imitate a behavior, one has to pay attention to the model and the significant aspects of the modeled behavior. After paying attention, the learner must remember the observed behavior (retention). Third, the person must have the ability and opportunity to reproduce the behavior. Lastly, the learner must have the motivation to demonstrate what they have learned (Ormrod, 2008).

Ormrod identifies several general principles of Social Cognitive Theory, which are:

1. People can learn by observing the behaviors of others, as well as by observing the outcomes of those behaviors. With Social Cognitive Learning theory, theorist propose that learning takes place by observing the behavior of models instead of trial and error.
2. Learning can occur without a change in behavior. Social Cognitive Theorists believe that learning can occur through observing models and hterefore, learning may not necessarily be reflected in the learners actions. Behavior may be exhibited at the same time learning occurs, at a later time or never.
3. The consequences of behavior play a role in learning. The role of consequences has evolved over the years as the theory has evovled. Contemporary theorists propse that reinforcement and punishment have less crucial and indirect effects on learning.
4. Cognition also pays a role in learning. Theorists claim that an awareness of responses to reinforcement and punishment is essential to the learning process. Expectations of future reinforcements and punishments can have an impact on a person's behavior. Also, retemtion and attention are incorporated in the Social Cognitive Theory.
5. People can have a considerable control over their actions and environments. With Social Cognitive Theory, a person can actively create or modify their environment, either by making the changes themselves or by convincing others to assist and support their efforts. (Ormrod, 2008, pp. 119-120).

References

Ormrod, J. (2008). Human Learning (Fifth Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

Pajares, F. (2002). Overview of Social Cognitive Theory and of Self-Efficacy. Retrieved on April 7, 2010 from http://des.emory.edu/mfp/eff.html

Social Learning (Theory). Learning-Theory. Com Retrieved on April 1, 2010 from http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html

Van Wagner, K. (2010). Social Learning Theory: An overview of Bandura's Social Learning. About.com Guide. Retrieved April 1, 2010 from http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/sociallearning.htm