Luis Joaquin Martinez

2018-30-3-0042

Bandura: Social Cognitive Theory

Social cognitive theory is a learning theory developed by the renowned Stanford

psychology professor Albert Bandura. The theory provides a framework for
understanding how people actively are shaped by their environment. In particular, the
theory details the processes of observational learning and modeling, and the influence
of self-efficacy on the production of behavior.

SCT continues to emphasize that learning occurs in a social context and that much of
what is learned is gained through observation. SCT has been applied broadly to such
diverse areas of human functioning as career choice, organizational behavior, athletics,
and mental and physical health. SCT also has been applied extensively by those
interested in understanding classroom motivation, learning, and achievement (Pajares,
1996; Schunk & Zimmerman, 1994; 1998).

In essence, Social cognitive theory (SCT), as proposed by Bandura, is used in

psychology, education, and communication. It postulates that portions of an
individual's knowledge acquisition can be directly related to observing others within
the context of social interactions, experiences, and outside media influences.

In addition, the social cognitive theory is how learned behaviors through

environmental factors are learned and expressed as a behavior. Example: You wouldn’t
applaud at most funerals or talk through a movie at the theater. These are informal
beliefs that are just considered good manners. This learned behavior can become a
value, belief or norm. There are folkways or common practices such as we don’t belch
at the dinner table or cut in line at an event. But usually a folkway has no moral
significance. Add moral significance towards a belief and it becomes a value. For
example, polygamy is frowned upon by a large segment of society and deemed a
taboo.
2. After reading the article on Bandura's socio-cognitive theory, answer the
following:

A. How do the actions of other people influence an individual's behavior?

Because people can also, through forethought, self-reflection, and self-regulatory
processes, exerts substantial influence over their own outcomes and the
environment more broadly.

B. Can we relate a social cognitive theory with usage of online context or social
network? Why? I would say yes, people can learn through media and express
their “behavior” though there, they can also be influenced to follow the trends
and do other things.

3. With the list of random words that will be provided below, you are going to write
an essay of your own inspiration, connected to socio-cognitive theory:

Words used: Television, Radio, Internet, social media, media influences,

education
Social cognitive theory (SCT), used in psychology, education, history, and modern
communications “which include (Television, radio, Internet, social media)”, holds that
portions of an individual's knowledge acquisition is directly related to observing others
through education, social interactions, experiences, and outside media influences
current or historical.

The theory states that when people observe a person performing a behavior and the
consequences of that behavior, they remember the sequence of events and use this
information to guide their own subsequent behaviors to engage in behavior they
already learned or may use to serve their own needs or a purpose.

The survival of humanity is dependent upon the replication of such cognitive actions of
others over generations, plus original thinking. The observer may choose to replicate
modern behavior or historical events and behaviors. Modern media provides everyone
with access to learn an amazing range of behaviors obviously to communicate in my
opinion in today's modern world.