Social Cognitive Theory Flashcards
Overview of Social Cognitive Theory
- origins
Prior to 1960 → classical & operant conditioning influenced published theories
- Bandura argued they discounted influence of social variables
1962 - Bandura published article on social learning & imitation
- (Social Learning Theory) → expands on traditional behaviorial theories in which behavior is governed primarily by reinforcements
paradigm shift in psych from focus on behavior to cognition
- demonstrated learning through social modeling & competancies
- & Walters → proposed learning could occur through modeling & vicarious reinforcement
1968 → published comprehensive framework for understanding social behavior → Social Cognitive Theory
1968 → Bandura published comprehensive framework for understanding human social behaviour
Social Learning Theory → Social Cognitive Theory (3)
- viewed people as agent in control of their life
- behavioral change is made possible by personal sense of control
- people become more inclined/committed to decision if they believe they can take action
Reinforcement
- significance
- definition
primary construct in operant learning theory
- works in unknown ways to affect behavior
DEF’N: response to behavior that ↑/↓ likelihood of reoccurance
(reward/punishment)
STC incorporates 3 types of reinforcement:
1) Direct
2) Vicarious
3) Self
1) Direct Reinforcement
in operant conditioning
2) Vicarious
observational learning
3) Self
self-control
- thoughts/feelings you get something out of it
3 Types of Reinforcement are further categorized into? (2)
1) External Reinforcement
2) Internal Reinforcement
1) External Reinforcement
occurrence of an event or act that is known to have predictable reinforcement value
2) Internal Reinforcement
person’s own experience or perception that an event had some value
(2) Main Constructs of STC
1) self-efficacy
2) outcome expectancies
1) self-efficacy
belief in one’s capability to perform (& overcome barries to) specific action/behavior required to attain desired outcome
Bandura hypothesized that expectations of self-efficacy are ___-_____ cognitions that determine? (3)
self-regulatory
- whether instrumental actions will be initiated
-
how much effort will be expended
- how long it will be sustained in the face of obstacles & failures
Self-Efficacy Vs. Self-Confidence
Self-Confidence: nondescript term that refers to strength of belief but not necessarily specifying what certainty is about
- tends to be situation-specific
SE influences? (3)
1) Behavior
2) Thought Patterns
3) Emotional Reactions
SE Influences:
1) Behavior
- 3 aspects
a) choice/selection
b) effort
c) persistance
1) Behavior →
a) choice/selection
a) expectations of personal mastery (SE) affect initiation & persistance of behavior
2) Thought Patterns (thinking)
High SE – attribute failure to insufficient effort
Low SE – attribute failure to deficient ability
3) Emotional Rxns (feeling)
Low SE - dwell upon personal deficiencies & will perceive obstacles as more intimidating then they really are
Sources of SE Expectations (4)
- performance accomplishments
- vicarious experiences
- verbal/social persuasion
- physiological state
1) performance accomplishments
- influence on SE depends on?
most influential source
- authentic
- reciprocal relationship
- influence on SE depends on: difficulty, effort expended, amount of guidance & early successes
2) vicarious experiences
seeing/visualizing (imaging) others performing task without adverse consequences
depends on:
- similarity of model
- diversified modelling → performed by # of different models
3) verbal/social persuasion
- effectiveness depends on? (5)
Convincing people they possess capabilities that enable them to accomplish goal
dependant on:
- Credibility
- Trustworthiness
- Expertise
- Prestige
- Experience
4) Physiological State
increased physiological arousal indicates vulnerability to dysfunction
- personal levels of fatigue, fitness, stress, pain to determine capabilities
Dimensions of Self-Efficacy (3)
Efficacy expectations vary on several dimensions that have important performance implications:
1) Magnitude
2) Strength
3) Generality
Dimensions of SE
1) Magnitude
2) Strength
3) Generality
1) level of task difficulty ones believes they are capable of executing
2) refers to judgement of magnitude (strong/weak)
3) limited to OR extending beyond particular situation
2) Outcome Expectancies
- concerned with people’s perception about possible consequences of actions
- person’s estimate that given behavior will lead to certain outcomes
(3) Dimensions of Consequences:
a) area of consequence
b) negative/positive
c) short/long term
(3) Dimensions of Consequences:
a) area of consequence
* 3 aspects
a) physical outcome expectancies
b) social outcome expectancies
c) self-evaluative outcome expectancies
a) physical outcome expectancies
anticipation of what will be experienced after behavior change
b) social outcome expectancies
anticipated social responses to behavior change
c) self-evaluative outcome expectancies
anticipation of experiences (internal standards)
- i.e. feeling ashamed/proud
Social Cognitive Theory - Triadic Model
Within STC, human behavior is explained in terms of …
..triadic, dynamic & reciprocal model in which behavior, personal factors & environmental influences all interact
Triadic Reciprocal Determinism
theory (Bandura) that behavior influences & is influenced by personal factors & social environment
reciprocal determinism = continued interaction b/w these factors
Triadic Reciprocal Determinism
a) behavior
- behavioral capability
behavioral capability:
concept that maintains knowledge of behavior & skill (how to perform it) are necessary to perform particular behavior
Triadic Reciprocal Determinism
b) Environment
objective & external factors that can affect person’s behavior
- social/physical
- provides models for behavior → direct & vicarious reinforcement
Triadic Reciprocal Determinism
b) environment
- situation
Objective & external factors
- provides models
Situation: mental representation (perception) of environment that may affect one’s behavior
Triadic Reciprocal Determinism
c) person
crucial personal factors such as ability to:
- symbolize behaviour
- anticipate outcomes
- learn via observation
- have confidence in performing behavior
- self-determine/regulate behavior
- reflect/analyze experience
Interventions
may include strategies designed to:
- ↑SE & ability to handle difficult situations that may arise during initiation/maintenance of behavior
- educate about behavior & benefits of adopting it
Goals
In adopting desired behavior, must first form a GOAL & then attempt to execute action
- self-incentives & guides to health behaviors
- more specific = better
SMART Goals
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
SMART Goals
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Timely
2) establish concrete criteria to measure progress
4) goal represents objective one is willing & able to work towards
5) grounded within timeframe
OE learned in (4) ways
1) previous experience
2) observing others
3) social persuasion
4) emotional arousal
