Thirty Second Theories: Social Cognitive Theory

Theory Designer:  Albert Bandura 

Behavioural Approach: Albert Bandura believed that much of our learning, and consequently many aspects of behavior and personality, takes place through observing the behavior of others and using observational behavior for modeling. According to Bandura, learning involves not only connections between stimuli and responses but also cognitive representation and rearrangement. A child, for example, who sees that cheating leads to punishment and honesty to rewards (cognitive representation) decides to model honest behavior (rearrangement).

Theory Summary:  Self efficacy involves ones belief in his or her ability to accomplish a specific task or goal.  The underlying belief in ones abilities has a direct affect on how a person approaches goals, tasks, assignments or personal challenges.  According to Bandura people with high self-efficacy view challenges as something to be attacked rather than avoided.  Individuals with low self-efficacy may be anxious or fearful, focusing on failure versus success and possibly avoiding challenges or obstacles.   

Interesting Fact:  Albert Bandura is probably most famously noted for his “bobo doll” experiment that he conducted in 1961 (shown in the video) in which he studied the effects of behaviourism on children after they observed an adult aggressively hitting and yelling at an inflatable doll. 

Affiliation:
Appointed to Stanford University
Awarded the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1972, and elected president of the APA in 1974.

Related Links:

Analysis of Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiments
www.cliffsnotes.com
www.allpsych.com