Social Cognitive
Learning Theory
What factors influence
learning?
• Environmental
– examples
• Cognitive
– examples
General Principles
• Learning occurs from watching others
• Learning can occur without a change in
behavior (Observation without imitation)
• Consequences of behavior play a role in
learning
• Cognition plays a role in learning
Social Cognitive Perspective on
Reinforcement and Punishment
• As with behaviorism, R & P are
environmental factors that shape
behavior
• Behavior is learned through
observation & then expressed
(imitated) through modeling
Cognitive Factors
• Cognitive processing (thinking) is
occurring during learning
– Attention to actions
– Mental rehearsal of actions
– Develop verbal and visual
representations of actions
Cognitive Factors (cont.)
• Expectations
– About outcomes of the behavior
– About ability to perform successfully (selfefficacy beliefs)
• Awareness of Contingencies
– Realization that the behavior is related to
certain punishment OR reinforcement. Leads
to increase of decrease in frequency in
behavior
Cognitive Factors (cont.)
Self-Efficacy Beliefs
• Beliefs about one’s ability or capacity to
execute a behavior successfully
• Influences several aspects of behavior,
including
–
–
–
–
Choice of activities
Goals
Effort and persistence
Learning and achievement
Observational Learning
Or Modeling
Learning that occurs through
watching the behavior of others
R & P & Modeling
• Observer reinforced by model
• Observer reinforced by 3rd person
• Imitation or modeling itself leads to
reinforcement
• What happens to the model affects
observer’s behavior (vicarious
consequences)
What’s going on here?
The Effects of Modeling
on the Observer
• Teaches new behaviors
• Influences frequency of previously
learned behaviors
• Increases the frequency of similar
behaviors
• Encourage previously forbidden
behaviors
Characteristics of
Effective Models
• The model
– Is competent
– Has prestige and power
– Behaves in ways that are consistent with
the observer’s gender identification
– Exhibits behavior relevant to the
observer’s situation
Your Turn:
Dangerous Minds Videoclip
• Look for Models
– What characteristics do they have?
– Look for reinforcers for the models
AND for the observers