4.1 Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory

Social Cognitive Theory explains how we learn from others and our environment. It's all about how our thoughts, actions, and surroundings influence each other. This theory helps us understand why we do what we do and how we can change our behavior.

Bandura's ideas show that we're not just passive learners. We actively shape our lives through observation, self-reflection, and belief in our abilities. This knowledge can help us become better learners and achieve our goals more effectively.

Triadic Reciprocal Determinism

Interaction of Personal, Behavioral, and Environmental Factors

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• Triadic reciprocal determinism is a model that explains how personal, behavioral, and environmental factors interact and influence each other in a bidirectional manner
• Personal factors include an individual's beliefs, expectations, and cognitive competencies which shape their behavior and influence their environment
• Behavioral factors involve the actions and choices individuals make that impact their personal factors and environment (studying for an exam)
• Environmental factors consist of external influences such as social norms, access to resources, and physical surroundings that affect personal and behavioral factors (growing up in a supportive family)

Agency and Self-Efficacy in Shaping Behavior

• Agency refers to an individual's capacity to intentionally influence their functioning and life circumstances through their actions
• Individuals with a strong sense of agency believe they have control over their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors rather than being passive recipients of environmental influences
• Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to successfully perform a specific task or behavior (confidence in passing a difficult course)
• High self-efficacy leads to setting challenging goals, persisting in the face of obstacles, and attributing success to effort and ability (continuing to practice a skill despite initial failures)

Observational Learning

Learning through Modeling and Observation

• Observational learning occurs when an individual acquires new behaviors, skills, or knowledge by observing and imitating others
• Modeling involves demonstrating a desired behavior or skill for others to observe and learn from (a teacher showing students how to solve a math problem)
• Observational learning can lead to the acquisition of both positive behaviors (learning to share by observing a kind classmate) and negative behaviors (picking up aggressive habits from violent media)
• Vicarious reinforcement happens when an individual is more likely to engage in a behavior after observing others being rewarded for that same behavior (seeing a classmate praised for volunteering and deciding to volunteer as well)

Factors Influencing Observational Learning

• Attention to the model and their behavior is necessary for observational learning to occur, with individuals more likely to attend to models they perceive as attractive, competent, or similar to themselves
• Retention of the observed behavior in memory is crucial for later reproduction, with rehearsal and practice aiding in the retention process
• Reproduction of the observed behavior requires the individual to have the physical and cognitive capabilities to perform the behavior (having the motor skills to imitate a dance move)
• Motivation to perform the observed behavior is influenced by the perceived consequences and rewards associated with the behavior (being more motivated to imitate a behavior that leads to social approval)

Cognitive Capabilities

Symbolizing and Forethought in Cognitive Processing

• Symbolizing capability allows individuals to create mental representations of their experiences, enabling them to process and store information in the form of symbols (using words or images to represent abstract concepts)
• Symbols serve as guides for future behavior, with individuals able to anticipate potential consequences and plan their actions accordingly
• Forethought capability involves the ability to anticipate and predict future events based on past experiences and current knowledge
• Engaging in forethought allows individuals to set goals, create plans, and regulate their behavior in pursuit of desired outcomes (planning a study schedule to achieve a target grade)

Vicarious, Self-Regulatory, and Self-Reflective Capabilities

• Vicarious capability enables individuals to learn from the experiences of others without directly engaging in the behavior themselves
• Observing the consequences of others' actions allows individuals to modify their own behavior to achieve desired outcomes or avoid negative consequences (learning about the dangers of drug use through a peer's experience)
• Self-regulatory capability involves the ability to control and monitor one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to meet personal standards and goals
• Self-regulation includes setting goals, monitoring progress, and adjusting behavior as needed to achieve desired outcomes (creating a budget to manage personal finances)
• Self-reflective capability allows individuals to analyze their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences to gain insight and understanding
• Engaging in self-reflection enables individuals to evaluate their performance, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments to enhance their learning and development (reflecting on a failed exam to identify gaps in understanding and adjust study strategies)