Social Cognitive Theory of Learning

Theory Application Product – Web 2.0 ProjectUniversity of Southern California

Education 518 Section 27716March 2, 2014

Dr. Corinne Hyde

Social Cognitive Theory• Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) was originally called Social Learning

Theory.• Developed by Albert Bandura during his research at Stanford

University from 1953 to 2010.• His theory focuses on how and what people learn by observing others

and how it may or may not impact their behavior.• Early in his research Bandura focused on how people acquired

behaviors and the effects of reinforcement and punishment. These behaviorist concepts contributed to the early development of SCT.

• As psychological research moved toward studying cognitive processes, Bandura integrated this new approach into his research and theory. In order to reflect the importance of this area of research, he changed the name of his theory.

Source: Ormrod, 2014

1953 1963

Bandura’s Development of SCTBandura’s Development of SCT

1977

Research on Aggression & Behavior Modification

1986

Accepts Professorship

at Stanford University

Conducts Bobo Doll Experiment modeling aggressive behaviors

toward dolls with three groups assigned a model

that was punished, rewarded or no

consequence, for their aggressive behavior .

Published Social

Learning Theory

Published Social

Foundations of Thought

and Action: A Social

Cognitive Theory

Research on Social Learning, Personality Development & Behavior Modification

Development of SCT and Research on Self-Efficacy

1995

Published Self Efficacy in Changing Societies

Source: http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/bandura.htm, 1999

Learn by Observing OthersModels can be live, symbolic or provide verbal instructions. They provide information to be cognitively processed as a behavior an individual may imitate, avoid or not act upon at all.

Learning is an Internal ProcessLearning may or may not be accompanied by a change in current or future behavior.

Cognitive Processes Effect Learning and BehaviorIndividuals set goals based on what they think they can achieve. One’s perceived level of self efficacy effects how hard he or she might apply themselves in the pursuit of set goals.

People & Their Environment Continually InteractReciprocal Causation refers to this constant interaction between a person, their environment and their behavior.

Learn by Observing

Others Self Regulation Increases with Maturity

Cognitive Processes Effect Learning and Behavior

Learning is an Internal Process

People and their environment continually

influence each other

Basic Assumptions of Social Cognitive Learning:

Self Regulation Increases With AgeA young child requires constant guidance in order to achieve goals. As an individual matures, he or she will take more ownership of goals and becomes more aware of the need to monitor and control their behavior in order to achieve these goals.

Source: Ormrod, 2014

Strengths and Weaknesses

Of Social Cognitive Theory

Strengths

• A comprehensive theory that takes human behavior, cognition and environment into account.

• Addresses how reinforcement and punishment as well as self-efficacy effect motivation and how an individual will work to attain goals.

• Focuses on the importance of self-regulation in learning.

Weaknesses

• Does not address full complexities of human differences beyond acknowledging that they exist. Does not focus on personality traits, biological differences, mood, etc., when explaining behaviors and their associated cognitive processes.

• Loosely organized theory with few research based systematic procedures or protocols to follow in the classroom.

Source: Ormrod, 2014

00.19Mr. Hogan instructs his class to, “Think, Pair, Share” based on a question of how the printing press has effected their lives.

01.25Children shared with the class what

they learned from their partners.

02:52Whole class forum. Mr. Hogan instructs the students to, “…listen and respond to each others ideas about the passage from the text.

15.38-17.46Mr. Hogan summarized key themes from his notes he took during the class discussion.

04:15-15:38Mr. Hogan models behaviors he wants the children

to exhibit during the class forum.

4th Grade, Canoga Park Video – SCT Exhibited in the Classroom

Source: 4th Grade Canoga Parkhttps://2sc.rossieronline.usc.edu/mod/assignment/view.php?id=50743

Mr. Hogan as a Model• Gave verbal

instructions of how to act in pairs as well as in the class forum.

• Was a good listener and took notes on discussion.

• Addressed class, gave his opinion on what others said, and cited them by name and point.

• Summarized findings.

Reading, Speaking & WritingThese 4th Graders read a non-

fiction text, reflected and made connections with the

information, discussed it with a peer, presented with the class

and took notes that allowed them to summarize what they

learned from the lesson.

Small Working GroupsInterpersonal skills are needed to be successful on the playground, in the classroom, in families, friendships and work. Small working groups help hone important interpersonal skills.

Many Hands Make Light the WorkLearners may believe they can achieve more difficult tasks if they work in a group as there are multiple people working to support the whole. A student is more likely to engage in a task if they believe they can successfully complete it.

Learn by Observing Others

Collective Self Efficacy

Productive Interpersonal Behaviors

Multiple Modes of Information Exposure Increases Retention

SCT Learning Strategies Exhibited in Canoga Park Video

Source: Ormrod, 2014

Individual Person

BehaviorsEnvironment

Reciprocal Causation

There is a continual interaction between a person and how they

choose to perceive their environment.

Some of these interactions can be

observed in the responsive behaviors

exhibited by that individual.

Environment: • In the video, the children have notes as well

as rules on how to conduct themselves during class forums.

• The students see their teacher as a competent, successful individual, and want to emulate his enthusiasm for the topic as well as his behaviors.

• The learners see their peers engaging in the modeled behaviors and also want to take part in the social learning environment.

Behaviors: • Multiple raised hands and active engagement in a

challenging discussion while adhering to the class rules.

Individual Person:• Self-regulation is utilized by the

students in order to follow the process of the lesson and be able to answer the teacher assigned questions.

• Use of well developed interpersonal skills in order to complete the lesson assignment without upsetting people.

• Development of self-efficacy after receiving direct or vicarious reinforcement from Mr. Hogan on their successful participation.

Source: Ormrod, 2014

Working together, we achieve more

because we have a higher self efficacy.

When we believe we have a high chance of success, we are

motivated to endeavor harder

and longer on more difficult goals.

After working in a group, we have a

greater understanding of how to achieve a task, and may be able to achieve

more difficult tasks on our own in the

future.

Reflection on Benefits of Social Cognitive Learning

Source: Ormrod, 2014

• Instead of the whole class sharing, each table group would create one brief outline of the main concepts of the positive impact of the printing press and how it effects us today.

• One representative from the group would share findings.

• Teacher would take notes on board to model the type of notes students should take during discussion.

• Students should update their outline with any missing concepts and hand in for assessment by teacher.

• Class discussion of items or processes in our world that are very expensive and list on board. Model invention development for one idea.

• Construct an invention poster in small groups to create an invention that would solve an expensive barrier in your world today.

• Lesson Redesign:

Sources: 1. http://weblogs.pbspaces.com/mrgoldstein2011/10/13/3-coursegum-invention-poster-by-max-j-alec-b-daniel-g-lindsay-m/2. http://www.sparkinsight.com/factlets

• The student will be able to discuss the invention of the printing press and how it influenced our world today with a partner.

• Learning Objective In the Video

THANK YOU