Lec 7: Social Cognitive Theory

Question 1

Social Cognitive Theory - Bandura - 1997

Overview of Theory:
Theory =

Positive Relationship =
Negative Relationship =

Answer 1

= A theory is a set of concepts/constructs (ex: body image) that have been systematically linked together
- looking at relationship among concepts takes different forms

+: as 1 construct increases there is an increase in the other
EX: as PA knowledge increases –> then so willPA beh

• : as 1 construct increases the other construct decreases
  EX: as PA knowledge increases –> while Body Fat decreases

Question 2

Mediation=
VS
Moderation=

Answer 2

= An expected or predictive relationship btw 2 concepts is connected/is a pathway by means of a 3rd concept that links them together
EX: PA knowledge -> PA Attitude -> PA Beh

= Idea that the strength of the association btw 2 concepts its made - weaker or stronger - by a 3rd concept/variable
EX: PA beh ———-> Alcohol Use
^Gender
maybe stronger correlation for 1 gender over the other - if this is the case then…
GENDER modifies or moderates the relationship btw beh & alcohol use

Question 3

THEORY
->

-
-

Answer 3

-> theoretical concepts/constructs need to be conceptualized(defined) & operationalized(defined in way that can be measured)

EX: “leisure MPA”
conceptualized = what do u mean … ‘whereby increased HR in spare time’
operationalized = # of pedometer steps/min
self-report measure for leisure MPA

• Identifies which constructs to examine
• guides research questions, design, measures etc.
• helps in developing, implementing & evaluating interventions

Question 4

SCT =
- first known as

Reciprocal Determinism=
* SCT emphasizes this idea
AKA

SCT says…

Answer 4

= as Social Learning Theory
- renamed to SCT (cognitive psych integrated)
- integrated concepts from other disciplines:
EX humanistic psych (right vs wrong)

= environmental factors influence individual & groups but individuals & groups can also influence their environments & regulate their own beh

A  B
AKA Triadic (repriocity) (reciprocal causation)

… our beh is a product of this dynamic OR ever changing interplay of 1 personal influences 2 beh influences & our 3 environmental influences
EX:
(personal) Atittude -> Eating habits (beh) -> Surround self by healthy foods (environment)
[TRIAD - all connected]

Question 5

SCT Concepts
Total 1-5
1
[Bandura says - knowledge is a pre-condition to beh change]

1 has 4 components
1
2
3
4

Answer 5

1 Psychological determinants of beh
- individual level
1 "Outcome expectations"
= expected outcomes from performing a certain beh
EX: PA
- can be + or -
ppl want to max benefits and min costs

2 “Outcome expectancies”
= VALUE a person places on expected outcomes that would result from performing a certain beh
‘perceived value of expected outcomes’
- Higher the expectancy -> greater the change person will do beh
- usually using a Likert Scale

3 “Self- efficacy”
= beliefs about personal ability to perform beh’s that bring desired outcomes (beliefs may not reflect reality)
- task specific EX: increase PA / decrease healthy eating
VS
BARRIERS to self efficacy = the beliefs that one can do (PA) when faced with barriers (time constraint, weather)
: Bandura 0-100 confidence scale

Question 6

Measures of self - efficacy (SE)
GENERAL SE
BARRIERS SE

4th component:

Answer 6

Gen:
‘confident in doing 150 MPA…. during next month’
LIKERT scale
Barriers:
‘ same Q with ‘when weather is bad’ added
LIKERT scale

4 Collective efficacy =
beliefs about ability of a group to perform concerted actions that bring desired outcomes
EX: sports team - overall belief of team

Question 7

SCT Concepts

2-3

Answer 7

2 Observational Learning
‘Bobo experiment’
= learning to perform new beh by exposure to (interpersonal-fam, friends, media) (immediate) displays of a beh
‘COPING MODELS’ - models have same barriers & cope with them
- more likely to copy when person sees similarities to the model - why peer modeling is effective VS celebrity

3 Environmental determinants of beh
Incentive Motivation(process):
-Using rewards to modify beh

Facilitation (concept):
-Providing tools, resources or environmental changes that make new beh’s easier to perform
EX: identify barriers -> then how to overcome

Question 8

SCT Concepts
4

Self regulation strategies:
1-5

Answer 8

4 Self- regulation
= controlling oneself by using specific recommended strategies
- SCT emphasizes capacity to endure short-term negative outcomes in anticipation of long-term positive outcomes
(not will power - but learned skills)

1 Self-montioring: observe beh or outcomes EX you observe + relationship btw your anxiety & over eating

2 Goal - setting: EX evaluation current performance & create goal & specific actions to reach goal
- progressive & long-term changes

[SMART objectives]

3 Feedback - info to oneself about quality & quantity of your performance
EX something done poorly -> feedback a correction

4 Self- reward - reinforcement EX buy clothing to workout in

5 Seeking out social support - surround with ppl supporting your PA

Question 9

SUB THEORY:
Self-efficacy theory - Bandura
VIEW SLIDE 27 for visual !!!!!!

SCT Concepts
5

Mechanisms of moral disengagement:
1-7

Answer 9

5 Moral Disengagement
= ways of thinking about harmful beh’s & thhe ppl who are harmed that make infliction of suffering acceptable by disengaging self-regulatory (self-control) moral standards (right vs wrong)

• ppl can remove themselves from typical moral standards

1 Moral justification: viewing harmful beh as acceptable by considering beh to be socially valued/beneficial
EX sport doping = ok because they provide for family

2 Advantageous comparison - compare harmful beh to one that is worse

3 Euphemistic labeling - changing language = more innocent EX doping = jucing

4 Minimizing or ignoring consequences: avoid info relating to harm caused or downplay

5 Dehumanization & attribution of blame: EX obesity - blame the victim not society

6 Displacement of responsibility: not attribute personal responsibility instead put on authority EX coach

7 Diffusion of Responsibility: attribute harmful beh to several indivdual/group acting together
EX you dope cause all the team is

Question 10

Illustration of Intervention Research
Based on SCT - guided the research

Joseph et al (2019)
SCT constructs:

Answer 10

Beh capability: level of knowledge/skill [had modules]
Social Support: ppl in life that support PA [words of encouragement]
Self-efficacy: confidence [illustrate AA women in PA]
Outcome expectations: [decrease risk disease]
Self - regulation: manage self [encourage goals]

Question 11

STRONGEST PREDICTOR OF BEH CHANGE=

Answer 11

Self-Efficacy.