Social cognitive theory

Albert Bandura’s work on social learning suggests that the more a person believes that they are
capable of acquiring a new model of behavior and availing themselves of the positive consequences
associated with performing that behavior, the more successful they will be at observing and imitating a
particular action. This extends to group settings, where belief in the collective capability of the group to
acquire and implement new behaviors usually positively impacts the overall performance of the group.
The belief in the ability of other entities to assist in learning and reproducing behaviors is another factor
in this context, which is significant because human beings function in interdependent manners.

Self-efficacy, group efficacy, and proxy efficacy are essential in the workplace. When employees
are motivated to put in the maximum effort they are capable of, both the employees and the
organization benefit from it in the long run. When the self-efficacy of an employee is high, and they
believe that they are capable of observing and then implementing a new skill, they are actually able to
learn the new skill quickly and well. Self-efficacy is affected by different factors like age, gender, job
satisfaction and so on. Women, for instance, were expected to be less capable in certain fields for a long
time, and still are, if to a lesser degree.

Social Cognitive theory

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) started as the Social learning theory (SLT) in the 1960's by Albert
Bandura. It develop into the SCT in 1986 and posits that leaning occurs in a social context behavior. The
Unique feature of SCT is the emphasis on social influence and its emphasis on external ang internal
social reinforcement. SCT considers the unique way in which individuals acquire and maintain behavior,
while also considering the social environment in which individuals perfom the behavior. The theory
takes into account a person's past experiences, which factor into whether behevaioral action will occur.
These past experiences influences reinforcements, expectations, and expectancies, all of which shape
whether a person will engage in a specific behavior and the reason why a person engage in that
behavior

How is social cognitive theory can be applie? The Social cognitive theory can be applied as a
theoretical framework in different things settings and populations. It is frequently used to guide
behavior change interventions. It may be particularly useful in rural communities for examining how
individuals interact with their surroundings. The Social Conitive theory can be used to understand the
influence of social determinants of health and a person's past experiences on behevioral change.

Components of the social cognitive theory

Reciprocal Determinism - This is the central concept of SCT. This refers to the dynamic and reciprocal
interaction of person (individual with a set of learned experiences), environment (external social
context), and behavior (responses to stimulis to achieve goals).
Behavioral Capability - This refers to a person's actual ability to perform a behavioral through essential
knowledge and skills. In order to successfully perform a behavior, a person must know what to do and
how to do it. People learn from the consequences of their behavior, which also affects the environment
in which they live

Observational learning- This asserts that people can witness and observe a behavior conducted by
others, and then reproduce those actions. this is often exhibited through "modeling" of behaviors. if
individuals see successful demonstration of behavior, they can also complete the behavior successfully

Reinforcements- This refers to the internal or external responses to a person's behavior that affect the
likehood of continuing or discontinuing the behavior. Reinforcements can be self-initaited or the
environment, and reinforcements can be positive or negative. this is the construct of SCT that most
closely ties to the reciprocal relationship between behavior and environment.

Expectations- This refers to the anticipated consequences of a person's behavior. Ourcome expectations
can be health-related or not health-related. People anticipate the consequences of their influence
successful completion of their behavior. Expectations derive largely from previous experience. While
expectancies also derive from previous experience, expentacies focus on the value that is placed on the
outcome and are subjective to the individual.

Self-Efficacy - This refers to the level of a person's confidence in his or her ability to a successful perform
a behavior. Self-efficacy is unique to SCT although other theories have added this construct at later
dates, sush as the theory of Planned Behavior. Self-efficacy is influenced by a person's specific
capabnilities and other inidividual factors, as awell as by environmental factor (barriers and facilitators).