Social Cognitive Learning Theory What factors influence learning

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 3 rd 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