Social Cognitive Theory Overview

Study Notes

Social Cognitive Theory posits that behavior is learned through observational learning.
Emphasizes vicarious reinforcement, where individuals learn from models who are rewarded or punished, rather than through direct reinforcement.

Key Factors in Learning Behavior

Attention: Essential for learning; influenced by model's attractiveness, authority, and desirability of behavior.
Retention: Requires the observer to recall the observed behavior for later reproduction.
Motivation: Involves the desire to imitate behavior, shaped by an understanding of potential outcomes (outcome expectancy).

Influences on Motivation and Imitation

Consistency: Models that demonstrate consistent behaviors across situations are more likely to be imitated.
Identification with the Model: People are more inclined to imitate models with similar characteristics, such as age or gender.
Liking the Model: Warm and approachable models are more likely to be imitated compared to distant or unkind ones.

Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to succeed in tasks.
Higher self-efficacy correlates with a greater likelihood of overcoming challenges and imitating learned behaviors.

Bandura's Study Aim

The purpose was to determine if children would mimic aggression displayed by adults and if they were more inclined to imitate same-sex models.

Bandura's Study Procedure

Participants: 36 boys and 36 girls aged 3-6, grouped by aggression levels.
Experimental Setup: Groups observed either aggressive or non-aggressive adult models, while a control group saw no model at all.
Interaction with Bobo Doll: Following observation, children faced frustration before interacting with the Bobo doll to observe potential aggression.

Bandura's Study Results

Children exposed to aggressive models displayed significantly more physical and verbal aggression.
Observational learning was evident, with children showing a preference for imitating same-sex models, particularly in aggression styles.

Gergely's Study Aim

Aimed to explore whether infants as young as 14 months could learn behaviors through observational learning.

Gergely's Study Procedure

Participants: 14-month-old infants observed adults in two conditions.
Hands-Free Condition: Adult used her forehead to activate a box after placing her hands on a table.
Hands-Occupied Condition: Adult held a blanket while performing the same action to illuminate the box.

Description

Explore the key components of Social Cognitive Theory, which highlights how behavior is learned through observation and reinforcement. This quiz addresses factors essential for learning, such as attention, retention, and motivation, as well as the influences on imitation. Test your understanding of how models impact behavior in social contexts.