Social Cognitive Theory

Social Cognitive Theory emphasises the role of observational learning, social experiences, and reciprocal determinism in behaviour.

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Social Cognitive Theory - Contour Plot
What is:

Social Cognitive Theory

In simple words, imagine:

Learning to ride a bike by watching and imitating your older sibling.

Social Cognitive Theory explains that people learn by watching others and by thinking about the outcomes of their actions. It focuses on three main factors:

  • Personal: Our beliefs and attitudes
  • Behavioral: Our actions and experiences
  • Environmental: The social and physical surroundings

These factors influence each other. This theory helps companies understand how people learn and adopt new behaviours

Explain it to Grandma:

Imagine learning to bake bread by watching your grandmother. You see how she does it and try to copy her, and over time, you get better. This theory is about how we learn from watching others, just like picking up skills by observing and practicing with someone who’s done it before.

Business Cases:

Walmart
Twitter
eToro
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Walmart
Employee Training Programmes
Retail

Walmart applied Social Cognitive Theory in its employee training programmes, using observational learning and social reinforcement to encourage best practices among staff.

Result
Successful
The approach led to improved employee performance and customer service, contributing to Walmart’s operational efficiency.
Twitter
Twitter Trending Topics
Social Media

Twitter used Social Cognitive Theory to develop its Trending Topics feature. By highlighting popular discussions, Twitter encourages users to engage in conversations, driven by social influence and observational learning.

Result
Successful
Trending Topics have become a central feature of Twitter, driving user engagement and participation.
eToro
Social Trading Platform
Online Trading Platforms

eToro implemented Social Cognitive Theory in its social trading platform, where users can observe and mimic the trades of experienced investors, learning through observation and social interaction.

Result
Successful
The platform has grown rapidly, with many users benefiting from the social learning aspect of trading.

Academic Research:

Social Cognitive Theory

Authors:

Albert Bandura

Year Researched

1986

Summary:

Social Cognitive Theory explained how people learn behaviours, values, and attitudes through observation, imitation, and modeling. It emphasizes the role of cognitive processes and the environment in shaping behavior. For example, a child may learn to share by observing others being rewarded for sharing. The theory also highlights the importance of self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations.

Some links

  • https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2715
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079742108603838
  • https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-cognitive-theory.html
  • https://www.thoughtco.com/social-cognitive-theory-4174567
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_cognitive_theory