Bandura’s Social Cognitive Learning Theory By: Austin Conyers & Trent Hedlund

About the Theorist Albert Bandura was born December 4, – Graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Psychology – Received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Iowa – Began teaching at Stanford University – Served as President of the APA – Received the APA’s Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology, American Psychological Association.

Social Cognitive Theory Vocab. Social Cognitive Theory: examines people’s self-confidence in a variety of settings, how confidence develops, and how it affects behavioral outcomes, such as persistence and effort. Reciprocal Determinism, 3 Factors Personal Behavioral Environmental Bobo Doll Study

Vocab. Continued Mediated Responses: how events are interpreted cognitively before responding. Self-Efficacy & Outcome Expectancy: Self-Efficacy or the degree to which an individual possesses confidence in her or his ability to achieve a goal. Not to be confused with Self-Esteem. Outcome Expectancy or the perceived relationship between performing a task successfully and receiving a specific outcome.

Ways of Learning Enactive Learning Learns by doing. Vicarious Learning Observation.

Vicarious Learning in the Classroom Allocation of all resources Allows for uninterrupted learning Provides motivation the less skilled workers

Student and Teacher Efficacy Student self efficacy is strongly related to critical classroom variables The higher the self efficacy the more will and desire a student will posses. The lower self efficacy the less likely a student will strive to meet the goals and standards that are set out for them. Teacher efficacy Those teachers that are more self efficacious are more likely to give praise The teachers who aren’t lack self efficacy will give up on students in a similar fashion to how students will give up on work.

Critiques of Social Cognitive Theory The theory is too broad The findings are still preliminary Cannot be directly observed Only focused on the now instead of the lifespan