Social Cognitive Theory
(Bandura and Mischel and others)
Themes:
1.
People are active agents.
2.
Combine behavioral and humanistic
approaches
3.
Emphasize cognitive processes.
4.
Emphasize social processes.
5. Behavior is situation-specific.
6. Reciprocal determinism Bandura’s idea of the mutual effects of
person and environment.
Julian Rotter’s locus of control
behavior depends on:
1. outcome expectancy
expectancies
2. reinforcement value
6 core psychological needs:
1. recognition/status
2. dominance
3. independence
4. protection/dependency
5. love and affection
6. physical comfort
generalized expectancies
specific expectancies
Locus of control:
a. Internal locus of control
b. External locus of control
These are generalized expectancies.
Shoda, Mischel, & Wright (1994)
•
observations of children at camp
•
Found considerable differences in behaviors
across situations
behavioral signatures
Structure
1. Expectancies (beliefs)
2. self-system
A. efficacy expectancy = selfefficacy
•
influence
goals
•
effort and
persistence
•
mood
•
coping
3. Goals - desired future events
that motivate the person
4. Competencies/skills
Processes
•
•
•
anticipated consequences
internal standards
self-reinforcement
Growth and Development
Observational learning
vicarious learning
modeling
4 factors that impact observational learning:
1.
attention for encoding
2. retention
3. production
4. performance
Famous Bobo Doll studies (Bandura, 1965;
1977; 1986)
acquisition vs. performance difference:
Learning delay of gratification:
Bandura & Mischel, 1965
In-class assignment:
Given the evidence concerning observational
learning, what would one expect to be the
effects of watching television on children? On
adults? Which characteristics of television
might be important? Why? Is it likely that
altruistic behavior would be modeled as readily
as aggressive behavior? Why or why not?
Modeling of aggression
1. observational learning
2. promotes belief that aggression is appropriate
3. desensitizes observers
E.g. Study
positive modeling examples
Major new developments in social cognitive
theory:
1. feelings/emotions. “Hot” emotions
2. Dynamics of personality are organized
3. Mischel - cognitive affective personality
system (CAPS)
Psychopathology
Role of dysfunctional expectancies
Anxiety and self-efficacy
Depression and self-efficacy
Therapy/Change:
Modeling and Guided Mastery