Social Cognitive Theory Flashcards
social cognitive theory
- emerged out of operant conditioning
- focuses on cognitive processes (a change in behavior does not need to happen for learning)
- emphasizes the social component of learning meaning people are learning from models and the socially constructed environment
SCT Learning defined
- learning occurs from interacting with and watching other people, as witnessing the resulting consequences
- emphasizes learning by observation and modeling
theorist of SLC learning
Albert Bandura
observational learning/SCT
- observer’s behavior changes after viewing the behavior of a model
- learning through other people is our brain’s shortcut
- consequences: vicarious reinforcement or vicarious punishment
modeling
refers to the process of learning by observing what other people do and the resulting consequences
-from a SCT perspective, much of our learning occurs via modeling
modeling terminology
it can…
- teach new behaviors (observational learning)
- facilitate or inhibit previously learned behaviors
- disinhibit previously forbidden behaviors
- increase the frequency of similar behaviors
facilitation
when someone is more likely to perform previously learned behaviors after observing a model be reinforced for that behavior
ex: see your siblings get praise for eating veggies you are more likely to get praise
inhibition
when someone is less likely to perform previously learned behaviors after observing a model be punished for that behavior
ex: observe a friend get a speeding ticket you are less likely to sped
disinhibition
when someone is more likely to perform previously forbidden behaviors after observing a model be either reinforced or not punished for that behavior
-ex: in the car with a friend you pass a police and friend doesn’t get pulled over you are more likely to speed since friend not punished
What makes a good model?
-perceived similarity
-a girl is more likely imitate the behavior of a female chemistry teacher than the behaviors of a male chemistry teacher
what makes a good model?
-Perceived competence
-a person imitates the behavior of a successful peer instead of a less successful peer
what makes a good model?
-Perceived status
-a student imitates the behaviors of a popular peer
3 types of models (according to Bandura)
- live models
- symbolic models
- verbal instructions
effective models are viewed as:
- competent
- prestigious and powerful
- gender appropriate
- relevant to the observers situtation
Necessary Conditions for Modeling
- modeling will be effective only given the observers:
- attention
- retention
- ability to perform behavior and opportunity to practice the behavior
- Motivation to demonstrate what they’ve learned
- High self-efficacy for the behavior
Cognitive Modeling
modeling that involves an explanation beyond just demonstration
- includes verbalization of thoughts and reasons for each statement or action
- modeling combined with explanation is more effective than explanation alone for both achievement and self-efficacy
ex: in big daddy Adam teaching child how to tie show both showing and telling - particularly important in the classroom
Social Cognitive Theory Assumptions
- Triadic reciprocality or reciprocal causation: personal, behavioral, and environmental factors influence one another
- People have agency or ability to influence their own behavior and the environment in a purposeful, goal-directed fashion
- Learning can occur without an immediate change in behavior
example of SCT assumptions
person and behavior
Person and behavior
- low self-efficacy for backhand (person) –> may not practicing (behavior)
- may lead to greater self-efficacy (person)
example of SCT assumptions
Person and environment
-teacher’s beliefs about learners’ capabilities (person) –> the design of the classroom (the environment
example of SCT assumptions
behavior and environment
-students look confused (behavior) –> teacher changes instructional plans (environment)
Gender Differences in the BoBo doll exp.
- girls that viewed aggressive males –> more physically aggressive
- girls that viewed aggressive females–> more verbally aggressive
- boys were more likely to imitate same-sex models than girls
- boys imitated more physically aggressive acts than girls
Types of Learning in SCT
- enactive learning
- Vicarious learning
- Observational Learning
- Latent Learning
enactive learning
learning through experience
- emphasized in behaviorism
- also possible in SCT
Vicarious Learning
learning through observing the consequences given to other people
- emphasized heavily in SCT
- vicarious reinforcement (facilitation)
- vicarious punishment (inhibition)
