Albert Bandura and Social Cognitive Theory Social cognitive theory is a model proposed by Bandura that explains human functioning and personality as caused by the interaction of behavioural, cognitive, and environmental factors. Although several contemporary personality theorists have embraced the social cognitive approach to explaining personality, probably the most influential is Albert Bandura (b. 1925). … Continue reading “Social Cognitive Theory | My Assignment Tutor”
Albert Bandura and Social Cognitive Theory Social cognitive theory is a model proposed by Bandura that explains human functioning and personality as caused by the interaction of behavioural, cognitive, and environmental factors. Although several contemporary personality theorists have embraced the social cognitive approach to explaining personality, probably the most influential is Albert Bandura (b. 1925). We examined Bandura’s classic research on observational learning in the chapter on learning. In the chapter on motivation, we encountered Bandura’s more recent research on self-efficacy. Here, you’ll see how Bandura’s ideas on both these topics are reflected in his personality theory, called social cognitive theory. Social cognitive theory emphasizes the social origins of thoughts and actions but also stresses active cognitive processes and the human capacity for self-regulation (Bandura, 2004b, 2006). As Bandura’s early research demonstrated, we learn many behaviours by observing, and then imitating, the behaviour of other people. However, as Bandura (1997) has pointed out, we do not merely observe people’s actions. We also observe the consequences that follow people’s actions, the rules and standards that apply to behaviour in specific situations, and the ways in which people regulate their own behaviour. Thus, environmental influences are important, but conscious, self-generated goals and standards also exert considerable control over thoughts, feelings, and actions (Bandura, 2001). For example, consider your own goal of getting a college education. No doubt many social and environmental factors influenced your decision. In turn, your conscious decision to attend college determines many aspects of your current behaviour, thoughts, and emotions. Your goal of attending college classes determines which environments you choose. Bandura (1986, 1997) explains human behaviour and personality as being caused by the interaction of behavioural, cognitive, and environmental factors. He calls this process reciprocal determinism. According to this principle, each factor both influences the other factors and is influenced by the other factors. Psychology by Hockenbury (2018, p. 420), which summarises Bandura’s SCT.
