1. Cognitive Social Theory
Main Theorists
Albert Bandura
Walter Mischel

2. Also called Cognitive Social Learning Theory
Operant Conditioning
reward and punishment
these are called situational variables
PLUS
Learning by observation
Cognitive processes within an individual
How a person thinks about the world, themselves, events
These are known as person variables

3. People are self-aware; people are individuals
Deliberately engage in learning
Not just at the mercy of the environment
People can modify (change) and create environments
Person variables are important in determining what behaviours will occur

4. Behaviour is caused by:
Person variables
Situational Variables
punishment
rewards
What are the variables within a person that influence how they behave?

5. Competencies What Can I do?
Knowledge of rules that tell us how to behave
Skills –academic, athletic, social, job skills, and others
Ability to construct plans
Concepts of ourselves and others

6. Encoding Strategies How do I see it?
Different people encode (symbolize, represent, understand) situations or stimuli differently
Self-defeating encoding?
“She doesn’t want me; I am a loser!”
“I’ll never understand math”
“Why does it always rain on my days off!”

7. Positive Encoding
The glass is half full – and if it isn’t, I’ll figure out where to get water
“Well, we weren’t made for each other!”
“I really need some help understanding this idea so I can pass that test”
“This will be a great day to walk in the rain!”

8. Expectancies What will happen?
First, what will the results of this action be?
Second, self-efficacy expectations – our belief that we can or cannot perform a certain behaviour
Positive self-efficacy
More likely to try tasks they believe they can do
Negative self-efficacy
More likely to avoid what they believe they cannot do

9. Subjective Values What is it worth to me?
Individuals place different values on the same outcome (terms: objective vs subjective)
Stimuli don’t control us; Stimuli have meaning – we decide the value
This is frightening; this is really interesting
This is worth working for; I can’t be bothered
I have to do this; if it doesn’t happen, it won’t bother me
I’m too scared – no way!; This is scary, but worth it

10. Self-Regulatory Systems and Plans How can I make this happen?
We regulate our own behaviour, even when no one is watching, even when we are not rewarded or punished

11. I’m in charge – what will I do with it?
We can’t control the environment all the time, but we can control our response to it
We set goals
Make plans
Congratulate or criticize ourselves
Give ourselves rewards
Help ourselves through the hard stuff

12. Assignment
Think of 10 things you would do, if you knew you wouldn’t fail
Consider the list and pick one
Complete the assignment –
Outline
Competencies
Encoding
Expectancies
Subjective Value
Self-Regulatory Systems and Plans