Social Cognitive Theory 1960s 70s Bandura Rotter Emphasized

Social Cognitive Theory • 1960’s -70’s (Bandura, Rotter) • Emphasized a strong experimental approach

Social Cognitive Theory Cognitive factors include our beliefs, expectations, and values, as well as our biological and genetic influences. Self Efficacy Behavior includes a variety of actions, such as what we do and say. Environmental influences include our social, political, and cultural influences as well as our particular learning experiences.

Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory • Personality development, growth, and change are influenced by 3 distinctively human cognitive processes – Observational learning • Watch, imitate – Purposeful behavior • Anticipate events, plan ahead, set goals – Self-analysis • Internal process that allows us to monitor our own thoughts and actions

Locus of Control • Julian Rotter: How much control to we have over our situations or rewards? • Internal/external • Handout • Rotter’s findings indicate that a specific belief, such as how much control you believe you have, influences how you perceive your world; and in turn, affects how you behave. (Health, explanatory style) • Prisons, Nursing Homes, Work Places

Self Efficacy • Refers to the confidence in your ability to organize and execute a given course of action to solve a problem or accomplish a task • “I think that I am capable of getting a high grade in this course. ” is a sign of strong self-efficacy • You judge your SE by combining 4 sources of info. – – You use previous experiences of successes & failures You compare your capabilities with those of others You listen to what others say about your capabilities You use feedback from your body to assess your strength, vulnerability, and capability. Some people have a strong sense of self efficacy that applies to many situations. Others have a strong sense that only applies to a few areas. Having either high or low self efficacy can increase or decrease your performance and success in a variety of tasks and personal behaviors.

Delay of Gratification-Mischel • Refers to not taking an immediate but less desirable reward and instead waiting and pursuing an object or completing a task that promises a better reward in the future. • Related to self control, impulsiveness, & will power • How long children can wait for marshmallows depended upon what they attended to. – Imagined (15 minutes) – In front of them (6 minutes) Should I take 1 marshmallow now or wait and get 2 later?