Social Cognitive Theory

Question 1

social cognitive theory

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

SCT Learning defined

Answer 2

• learning occurs from interacting with and watching other people, as witnessing the resulting consequences
• emphasizes learning by observation and modeling

Question 3

theorist of SLC learning

Answer 3

Albert Bandura

Question 4

observational learning/SCT

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

modeling

Answer 5

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

Question 6

modeling terminology

Answer 6

it can…

• teach new behaviors (observational learning)
• facilitate or inhibit previously learned behaviors
• disinhibit previously forbidden behaviors
• increase the frequency of similar behaviors

Question 7

facilitation

Answer 7

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

Question 8

inhibition

Answer 8

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

Question 9

disinhibition

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What makes a good model?

-perceived similarity

Answer 10

-a girl is more likely imitate the behavior of a female chemistry teacher than the behaviors of a male chemistry teacher

Question 11

what makes a good model?

-Perceived competence

Answer 11

-a person imitates the behavior of a successful peer instead of a less successful peer

Question 12

what makes a good model?

-Perceived status

Answer 12

-a student imitates the behaviors of a popular peer

Question 13

3 types of models (according to Bandura)

Answer 13

1. live models
2. symbolic models
3. verbal instructions

Question 14

effective models are viewed as:

Answer 14

1. competent
2. prestigious and powerful
3. gender appropriate
4. relevant to the observers situtation

Question 15

Necessary Conditions for Modeling

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Cognitive Modeling

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Social Cognitive Theory Assumptions

Answer 17

1. Triadic reciprocality or reciprocal causation: personal, behavioral, and environmental factors influence one another
2. People have agency or ability to influence their own behavior and the environment in a purposeful, goal-directed fashion
3. Learning can occur without an immediate change in behavior

Question 18

example of SCT assumptions

person and behavior

Answer 18

Person and behavior

• low self-efficacy for backhand (person) –> may not practicing (behavior)
• may lead to greater self-efficacy (person)

Question 19

example of SCT assumptions

Person and environment

Answer 19

-teacher’s beliefs about learners’ capabilities (person) –> the design of the classroom (the environment

Question 20

example of SCT assumptions

behavior and environment

Answer 20

-students look confused (behavior) –> teacher changes instructional plans (environment)

Question 21

Gender Differences in the BoBo doll exp.

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

Types of Learning in SCT

Answer 22

1. enactive learning
2. Vicarious learning
3. Observational Learning
4. Latent Learning

Question 23

enactive learning

Answer 23

learning through experience

• emphasized in behaviorism
• also possible in SCT

Question 24

Vicarious Learning

Answer 24

learning through observing the consequences given to other people

• emphasized heavily in SCT
• vicarious reinforcement (facilitation)
• vicarious punishment (inhibition)

Question 25

Latent Learning

Answer 25

• delayed imitation
• when a behavior that is learned does not appear until a later time
• not accounted for by behaviorism

Question 26

observational learning

Answer 26

when a behavior patter happens that prior to modeling would have had 0 probability of happening prior to observation

Question 27

Reinforcement and Punishment in SCT

Answer 27

• people can learn by observing other’s behaviors and the consequences that result (vicarious learning)
• consequences can be indirect
• consequences can be anticipated
• observers can be reinforced directly by models
• observers can be reinforced by a third person
• imitated behaviors can be reinforced

Question 28

General ideas of SCT

Answer 28

• focus on cognitive and social processes influencing learning
• interactions between a person’s behavior, their cognitions and the environment
• learning and experiencing consequences often occurs via other people (models)
• self-efficacy and self-regulation are cognitive process that influence and are influenced by how we learn from others
• can learn without direct consequences