Key Points
Based on the concept of reciprocal determinism, Social Cognitive Theory is the dynamic interplay among personal factors, the environment, and behavior (2). The unique feature of the Social Cognitive Theory is the emphasis on social influence and its emphasis on external and internal social reinforcement. SCT considers the unique way in which individuals acquire and maintain behavior, while also considering the social environment in which individuals perform the behavior. The theory takes into account a person's past experiences, which factor into whether behavioral action will occur. These past experiences influences reinforcements, expectations, and expectancies, all of which shape whether a person will engage in a specific behavior and the reasons why a person engages in that behavior (6).
The social cognitive theory also provides the basis for intervention strategies (2). Evaluating behavioral change depends on the factors environment, people and behavior. SCT provides a framework for designing, implementing and evaluating programs (4).
Environment refers to the factors that can affect a person’s behavior. There are social and physical environments. Social environment include family members, friends and colleagues. Physical environment is the size of a room, the ambient temperature or the availability of certain foods. Environment and situation provide the framework for understanding behavior (5). The situation refers to the cognitive or mental representations of the environment that may affect a person’s behavior. The situation is a person’s perception of the place, time, physical features and activity (3).
The way in which people interpret their environment and their personal factors, affect their behavior, their behavior affects their personal factors, which can affect their environment (1). The three factors environment, people and behavior are constantly influencing each other. Behavior is not simply the result of the environment and the person, just as the environment is not simply the result of the person and behavior (3). Changing one of these three factors, changes all of them. This leads to changing behavior (1).
Example: Bottled water use is a problem on campuses, as well as an environmental problem and health hazard. Having this information (knowledge), campuses across the country begin to install water stations or hydration stations (environment). Students refill reusable water bottles (behavior) rather than buying bottles of water, helping to eliminate pollution, and using a healthy drink alternative as opposed to soda (1).
This Social Cognitive Theory is important because it promotes positive behavioral change in the target population. Without these environmental, cognitive and behavioral factors, change will not be able to occur.
Sources:
1) Hayden, J. (2009). Introduction to health behavior theory (2nd ed., pp. 173-199). Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.
2) Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
3) Glanz, K., Rimer, B.K. & Lewis, F.M. (2002). Health Behavior and Health Education. Theory, Research and Practice. San Fransisco: Wiley & Sons.
4) University of Twente. (n.d.). Social cognitive theory. Retrieved from http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory clusters/HealthCommunication/Social_cognitive_theory/
5) Parraga, I.M. (1990). “Determinants of Food Consumption”. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 90: 661-663.
6) Boston University School of Public Health (2013, January 22). The Social Cognitive Theory. Retrieved from http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-Modules/SB/SB721-Models/SB721-Models5.html
The social cognitive theory also provides the basis for intervention strategies (2). Evaluating behavioral change depends on the factors environment, people and behavior. SCT provides a framework for designing, implementing and evaluating programs (4).
Environment refers to the factors that can affect a person’s behavior. There are social and physical environments. Social environment include family members, friends and colleagues. Physical environment is the size of a room, the ambient temperature or the availability of certain foods. Environment and situation provide the framework for understanding behavior (5). The situation refers to the cognitive or mental representations of the environment that may affect a person’s behavior. The situation is a person’s perception of the place, time, physical features and activity (3).
The way in which people interpret their environment and their personal factors, affect their behavior, their behavior affects their personal factors, which can affect their environment (1). The three factors environment, people and behavior are constantly influencing each other. Behavior is not simply the result of the environment and the person, just as the environment is not simply the result of the person and behavior (3). Changing one of these three factors, changes all of them. This leads to changing behavior (1).
Example: Bottled water use is a problem on campuses, as well as an environmental problem and health hazard. Having this information (knowledge), campuses across the country begin to install water stations or hydration stations (environment). Students refill reusable water bottles (behavior) rather than buying bottles of water, helping to eliminate pollution, and using a healthy drink alternative as opposed to soda (1).
This Social Cognitive Theory is important because it promotes positive behavioral change in the target population. Without these environmental, cognitive and behavioral factors, change will not be able to occur.
Sources:
1) Hayden, J. (2009). Introduction to health behavior theory (2nd ed., pp. 173-199). Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.
2) Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
3) Glanz, K., Rimer, B.K. & Lewis, F.M. (2002). Health Behavior and Health Education. Theory, Research and Practice. San Fransisco: Wiley & Sons.
4) University of Twente. (n.d.). Social cognitive theory. Retrieved from http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory clusters/HealthCommunication/Social_cognitive_theory/
5) Parraga, I.M. (1990). “Determinants of Food Consumption”. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 90: 661-663.
6) Boston University School of Public Health (2013, January 22). The Social Cognitive Theory. Retrieved from http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-Modules/SB/SB721-Models/SB721-Models5.html