Social Cognitive Theory

• Social Cognitive Theory, theorised by Bandura (creator of the Bobo Doll Experiment) explained that humans learn behaviour through OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING.
• People learn by modelling behaviour and watching these models to imitate their behaviour subconsciously.
• Models of behaviour are generally indirect, in that they are not trying to influence the child’s behaviour but serve as one anyway
• Bandura also explains that a physical reward is often not necessary, and the simple act of a behaviour being rewarded or punished is enough for it to have an effect on the child - This is what Bandura calls VICARIOUS REINFORCEMENT
• Bandura also believes that there are FOUR CONDITIONS for Social Cognitive Learning. Those conditions are:

Four Conditions for Social Cognitive Learning

1. Attention: In order for a child to learn a behaviour, they must pay attention to the model exhibiting the behaviour. There are also certain conditions for the child to pay attention to the model, such as attractiveness of the model, authority of the model, or the desirability, aka how bad the child wants to exhibit the behaviour.
2. Retention: After observing the behaviour, the child must remember it to act it.
3. Motivation: Learners must WANT to exhibit the same behaviour, and understand what the potential outcome is if they also do the same behaviour
4. Potential: The child must also be able to physically or mentally imitate the behaviour - Self efficacy must be present

• There are also OTHER EXTERNAL REASONS a child will choose a certain model

1. Consistency - If the model behaves in a consistent manner across situations, like being brave in every situation, the observer is more likely to imitate the model as compared to if the model behaves in different ways all the time
2. Identification with the model - We also often select models similar to us, in terms of age, gender, cultural background, etc
3. Liking the model - This is quite literal - Studies have shown that if a model is warmer and friendlier, and we like them more, we are more likely to imitate them.
4. Self Efficacy - The ability to have a goal, and keep at it, as well as keeping the belief that you can successfully accomplish said task - Those who can recover from setbacks and dissapointments are far likelier to try imitating a models behaviour than those with less self efficacy, whose fear of failure will prevent them from trying.