Social Cognitive Theory
SAQs
● Outline social cognitive theory.
● With reference to one study, explain social cognitive theory
ERQs
● Evaluate social cognitive theory.
● Evaluate one or more studies related to social cognitive theory
The Theory
● People transmit cultural norms to each other
● How does this occur, how do people learn from each other?
● Behaviour is modelled by and then acquired through observation and imitation
● Bandura
○ Direct learning - when someone performs an action & the consequences
either reinforce or inhibit repetition of it
○ Indirect Learning - observing another person’s behaviour & its
consequences
● SLT - learning can occur indirectly (through observation)
● SCT - considers agency, identity, self-efficacy
● Supported by Williams and Williams (2010)
Human Agency Humans are responsible for their behaviour, they are intentional,
forethought, self-reflective and self-reactive
Observational Learning occurs as a result of observing others behaviour & the
Learning consequences of it
Reciprocal Model of 3 factors: personal factors, behaviour,
Determinism environment →
The environment & society both shape each other
Self-efficacy The extent to which people believe they can master a particular
behaviour
Bandura, Ross, and Ross (1961) - Bobo Doll Experiment
● To find out whether observed aggression of adults would cause subsequent
behaviour in children
SAQs
● Outline social cognitive theory.
● With reference to one study, explain social cognitive theory
ERQs
● Evaluate social cognitive theory.
● Evaluate one or more studies related to social cognitive theory
The Theory
● People transmit cultural norms to each other
● How does this occur, how do people learn from each other?
● Behaviour is modelled by and then acquired through observation and imitation
● Bandura
○ Direct learning - when someone performs an action & the consequences
either reinforce or inhibit repetition of it
○ Indirect Learning - observing another person’s behaviour & its
consequences
● SLT - learning can occur indirectly (through observation)
● SCT - considers agency, identity, self-efficacy
● Supported by Williams and Williams (2010)
Human Agency Humans are responsible for their behaviour, they are intentional,
forethought, self-reflective and self-reactive
Observational Learning occurs as a result of observing others behaviour & the
Learning consequences of it
Reciprocal Model of 3 factors: personal factors, behaviour,
Determinism environment →
The environment & society both shape each other
Self-efficacy The extent to which people believe they can master a particular
behaviour
Bandura, Ross, and Ross (1961) - Bobo Doll Experiment
● To find out whether observed aggression of adults would cause subsequent
behaviour in children
