Albert Bandura
Social Cognitive Theory:
No Trial Learning
1. How is Bandura different from Skinner?
2. How did Bandura extend Skinner's theory
of Operant Conditioning?
3. How do Skinner and Bandura differ on
reinforcement?
Bandura’s Beliefs
 1. Infants possess a collection of innate reflexes
 2. Humans are capable of using symbols to
internalize (may include both rational judgments and
irrational beliefs)
 3. Humans have a capacity for forethought (explains
how goals influence behavior) individuals are
capable of anticipating and behavior is reflective of
this anticipation. This explains how individuals
demonstrate new behavior when not a part of their
personal history.
Bandura’s Beliefs (cont.)
 4. Individuals learn vicariously (by
observation) - this is the extension of
Skinner
 5. Individuals are capable of reflection
of their own thoughts thus learning
based upon thought rather than direct
experience.
Problems for Study
The effects of:
1. observational learning,
2. inhibition/disinhabition (based upon the
situation - sitting up straight when the
teacher is near or children who begin
talking more at bedtime),
3. response facilitation (a function of the
behavior of others - peer pressure),
4. environmental enhancement (children
will fight more if they observe parents fighting).
Internal Principles

1.
2.
3.
Triadic Reciprocality
Behavior
Environment
Individual’s Personal Beliefs
Bridge Principles
1. Differential Contributions (relative importance at any given
time of each factor within Triadic Reciprocality)
the environment may be extra important (peer group in
High School)
one's personality may influence the choice of tasks and
behaviors (cognition and personal factors)
the model may be being reinforced for "appropriate" (as
seen by the individual) behavior + how close is this person
to me in terms of sex age race etc.
Bridge Principles (Cont.)
2. Temporal Dynamics - how the Triadic
effects work over time. Gradually or
immediately (consideration of other's
feelings or group glee)
3. Fortuitous Determinants - the effects of
chance
Change Mechanisms
1. Acquisition - Attention and Retention
Attention for learning to occur, individuals must pay attention and
perceive (I chose Joe Namath and behaved like some of
his behaviors - white football shoes, long hair, knee
brace - but not all of Joe's behavior was modeled, late
nights, alcohol)
IN SHORT: We choose models who are
influential
Change Mechanisms (cont.)
 Retention - (how we commit events (attention) to memory)
Symbolic Transformations. These confer
personal meanings to events. (Joe Namath was
someone to model because he was a QB, got girls
and was popular. I wanted to be the same)
 imaginal - I imagine I'm Joe Namath
 linguistic - talking about and like Joe Namath and his methods of
behavior
 rehearsal - practice - behaving like Joe Namath as often as
possible
Change Mechanisms (cont.)
2. performance - Production and
Motivation
you may acquire and retain new behavior,
but performance requires a reason. It’s
based upon an individual’s cognitive abilities
– in short -- we need a reason. It’s all about
motivation.