SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY Albert Bandura • “A theory of learning that focuses on changes in behaviour that result from observing others.” (Eggen & Kauchak 2013) Social Cognitive Theory Why is Cognition important? Cognitive Process: The use of beliefs, perceptions and expectations in learning. A change in mental processes that creates the capacity to demonstrate different behaviours. The ability to demonstrate and verbalize the thinking behind the action. Key Definition In Social Cognitive Theory, behaviour, the environment and personal factors are interdependent through a process referred to as reciprocal causation. Personal Factors - Expectations - Beliefs -Attitudes - Knowledge Behaviour - Reinforcement - Individual Actions Environment - Observational Learning - Consequences - Physical Settings Basic Assumptions (Behaviour) 1. People can learn by observing others. - An individual can try different methods in solving a problem and then choose the method that works best. Bandura posits that: by simply observing the success or failures of others and individual can omit the trial and error process, and will learn quicker. Basic Assumptions (Environment) 2. Learning is an internal process that may or may not lead to a behaviour change. - A student may learn something that could impact their behaviour immediately, at a later date or never. Do you think learning has taken place if there is NO change in behaviour? Basic Assumptions (Personal) 3. Behaviour is directed toward particular goals. - A student will often set goals for him/herself and then direct their behaviour to meet those goals. What happens in a class if a student’s goal(s) are not geared towards learning? Personal Factors: The belief system from her dad. Environment: The lessons her dad gave her. Behaviour: What she learned as she practiced. Personal Factors: Expectations she had about her own ability at 19 years. Environment: Professional coaching she received. Behaviour: Knowledge gained from past successful matches. Personal Factors: As a black woman to be the greatest ever (has 23 Grand Slam titles). Environment: The mental/physical routine to maintain the goals. Behaviour: Overcoming defeats, setbacks and criticism. Views of Reinforcement & Punishment Consequences have an effect on behaviour only if learners are aware of the contingency. Example:- Kim scores 55% on her Physics exam, and her teacher said to her “really good job”. What does that mean? Views of Reinforcement & Punishment 2. Learners form expectations about the likely consequences of future actions and behave accordingly. Examples: - A Lecturer is known to structure his exams mainly from the textbook; as a result some students skip class. - During press briefings the PM is said to give a 10 minute preamble, so listeners tune in late. •The expectations of consequences impact actions. 3. Expectations about future consequences affect how the learner processes information. For Example: - Mr. Taylor asked the students to read Chapter 11, even though nothing from that chapter will be on the exam. How much of the class do you think will read Chapter 11? How is Reinforcement Achieved? • Direct Reinforcement: Example: The compliment a teacher gives a student for good hand writing. - That student is encouraged to write well. • Vicarious Reinforcement: Example: A teacher gives bonus marks for a neat front cover in the visual arts assignment, and other students make sure to have a neat front cover. - By reinforcing others for positive behaviours it influences those who are watching to do the same. • Self-Reinforcement: Example: A student struggles with fractions, but by self motivation that student succeeds at it. - It is vital for students to be able to self regulate without tangible reinforcers, and to press on even amidst a challenge. In social cognitive learning theory, reinforcers create expectations, which then influence behaviour. For students to have correct expectations, they need to know what will be reinforced. Expectations and Learning Specific feedback , based on reinforcement, is vital for a student as it informs them on what is expected. Instructor is usually late. Kim arrives late. Instructor waits for late students. Kim continues to be late. Kim arrives late at new job. Kim is reprimanded by Supervisor. Kim is late and pay decreased. Kim arrives early. Modeling Observational Learning: Learning by observing others. Attention: To learn, the student must pay attention to what is taught. Retention: In order to imitate the action students need to remember it. Practice often helps students remember specific steps. Production: Incorporates multiple practice sessions to make sure that the actions of the student match what was taught. Motivation & Reinforcement: The incentive to complete the concept learned. Students need reinforcement especially when being taught a new concept. Sada Williams! • Aspiring to be the best at the 400m sprint. • Her journey can be represented by the Social Cognitive Learning Model. Cognitive Process World Championship Games Oregon 2022 • “My first goal was to make the final. My next goal from there is to run a national record, which will be a personal best for me. Following that I will like to make it to the medal standings. Environment • To learn she had to place herself in the correct environment to facilitate the goal. • In the environment, (MVP Track Club Jamaica), she would have utilized observational learning, to understand what to do, how to do, when to do etc. • In the environment techniques were taught. Behaviour • Training (environment), and her mind-set (cognition) impacted what was reinforced. • Direct Reinforcement- Faster Times • Self-Reinforcement- Loses or setbacks she would have received but she kept at it. • Vicarious Reinforcement- Success she would have observed that others around her received in training regimes; and she adapted the same attributes/actions to fuel her own success. Personal Factors • Due to hard work she had an Expectation. In the right environment, had adopted the right mental state and practiced the correct behaviour. But she did not come first. • Through self reinforcement she would have internalized (cognition) the race and made changes. Success! • 2022 Commonwealth Games. GOLD Medal, Women’s 400m sprint. Cons/Shortfalls of Theory • It cannot explain why learners may pick up some modelled behaviours and not others. • It doesn’t account for complex abilities and how those are developed. (e.g writing) • It doesn’t account for learning that goes beyond simply modeling or imitation (group learning). • It puts too much emphasis on models for learning- said models could impair learning (poor modeling or lack of knowledge). Pros/Strengths of Theory Modeling is a powerful tool for classroom learning. Targeting the learner’s cognition (rationale), helps with teaching strategies. Knowing a student’s cognitive limitations aids in the teaching approach. Students are taught self regulation, thus, they can work on their own for some tasks. Classroom Applications Utilize Utilize cognitive modeling to help students learn the correct steps. Use Use vicarious reinforcement to improve behaviour & increase learning. Provide Provide opportunities for students to set goals, use strategies, & monitor their progress (self regulation). BANDURA Social Learning Theory Social Cognitive Theory Great emphasis on reinforcement & punishment. Emphasis on reinforcement but includes cognition and its effects. Not a great emphasis Includes the role of on environmental factors environment and social on learning. interactions on learning. This was version 1.0! This was version 2.0! • Much of what is learned is based on the mental processing of the information. • The environment, personal factors and behaviour all work together in the process of learning. • Reinforcement changes behaviour only when learners know what behaviours are being reinforced. In A Nutshell!
