Social Cognitive Theory

What should I know about the Social Cognitive Theory?

The Social Cognitive Theory explains that human behavior is both influenced by and influences personal factors and environmental factors. This idea is called "reciprocal determinism."

Adapted from: Bandura, A. Social Foundations of Thought & Action: A Social Cognitive Theory, 1st Edition, 1986.

In addition to "reciprocal determinism," the Social Cognitive Theory includes the following key constructs:

• Observational learning (I learn by watching other people.)

• Self-control (My ability to resist temptation influences my behavior.)

• Self-efficacy (Whether or not I believe I have the ability to do something influences my behavior.)

How does the the Social Cognitive Theory show up in our work?

The Social Cognitive Theory has taught us to think about all the different personal and environmental factors that influence behavior when designing behavior change programs. Specifically, the Social Cognitive Theory reminds us to incorporate opportunities for audiences to:

• see their peers successfully executing healthy behaviors and reaping rewards (if observational learning is relevant)

• self-monitor (if self-control is relevant)

• execute behavioral contracts (if self-control is relevant)

• engage in realistic goal-setting (if self-efficacy is relevant)

Where can I learn more about the Social Cognitive Theory?

Click here or watch the video below to learn more.

References

1. Glanz K. Rimer B. Viswanath K., ed Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory Research and Practice. Chapter 8. 4th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2008. http://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/33271241/health_behavior___education.pdfAWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ56TQJRTWSMTNPEA&Expires=1467495365&Signature=gDRBexgQnDrGCmQqlriERSyhM2o%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B filename%3DHEALTH_BEHAVIOR_AND_HEALTH_EDUCATION_The.pdf - page=351. Accessed July 1, 2016.

2. Khan Academy. Reciprocal Determinism [Video]. Accessed July 1, 2016.

3. Khan Academy. Self control [Video]. Accessed July 1, 2016.

4. Khan Academy. Self esteem, self efficacy, and locus of control [Video]. Accessed July 1, 2016.

5. Study.com. Observational Learning: Definition, Theory, and Examples [Video]. Accessed July 1, 2016.

6. Wells D. Zimmer J. Social Cognitive Theory [YouTube Video]. 2010. Accessed July 2, 2016.

7. National Institutes of Health. e-Source: Behavior and Social Science Research. http://www.esourceresearch.org/Default.aspx?TabId=734. Accessed July 1, 2016.