Education and Behaviour Change Models and Theories

Question 1

Define behaviourism.

Answer 1

People learn by being affected by external factors.

Antecedent
Behaviour
Consequence

Question 2

Define constructivism.

Answer 2

Education is directed by learners as experiencing or discovering learning.
Educator is a facilitator.
Learners develop and understanding of abstract concepts by linking new information to their prior knowledge and experience.
Learning builds upon previous learning (scaffolding).

Question 3

Define humanism.

Answer 3

A philosophy and educational approach that suggests learning is largely a personal and purposeful act designed to fulfill one’s potential or desire to become self-actualized.
Recognizes freedom of choice and the dignity and potential of individuals.

Question 4

Define cognitivism.

Answer 4

Learning theory that states the brain is a computer that takes in and processes information by thinking, remembering, and problem solving. Learning is defined as a change in a learner’s schemata (mental models).

Sensory input ➡️ sensory memory ➡️ short-term memory ➡️ long-term memory

Question 5

Outline the Health Belief Model.

Answer 5

Health behaviour depends on two variables:

1. The value an individual places on a particular health-related goal
2. The estimate an individual makes of the likelihood that a particular action will achieve that health-related goal

The degree to which people act is modified by their perception of:
Threat
Outcome expectations
Cues to action
Self-efficacy

Question 6

Outline the self-efficacy theory.

Answer 6

This theory suggests that unless people believe that they have the capability to perform a behaviour (efficacy expectation) and that their actions can produce the outcomes they desire (outcome expectancy), they have litter incentive to act or to persevere in the face of difficulties.

Ways that people can develop their expectations about efficacy:
Performance accomplishments
Vicarious experience
Verbal persuasion
Physiological state

Question 6

Explain the principles of Social Cognitive Theory.

Answer 6

Learning (and behaviour change) occurs in a social context through observation, experience, and modelling.

Question 7

Name the assumptions made by Social Cognitive Theory.

Answer 7

1. Learning is influenced by the continuous interactions between multiple factors: cognitive, affective, biological, environmental, and behavioural
2. Individuals can influence their behaviours in a purposeful, goal-directed way
3. Individuals can learn but will not demonstrate learned behaviours until motivated to do so [in contrast to behaviourism]

Question 8

Outline the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

Answer 8

Intent is the greatest motivator for behaviour change, but the degree or strength of someone’s intent can be affected by behavioural, normative, and control beliefs.

Question 9

Name the stages of the Transtheoretical Model.

Answer 9

Precontemplation
Contemplation
Preparation
Action
Maintenance
Relapse

Question 10

Explain the Confidence and Conviction model.

Answer 10

Clients make decisions to change based on:

1. Conviction: how convinced they are of the need for change
2. Confidence: how much they believe they will be able to make the change

Question 11

Explain the difference between a theory and a model.

Answer 11

Theory: set of interacted concepts, definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of events or situations by illustrating relationships between variables

Model: framework that draws on a number of theories to help us understand a specific problem in a specific setting or context