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The Triadic Reciprocal Causation Of Social Cognitive Theory

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Describe what triadic reciprocal causation is.

Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory explains psychological functioning in terms of triadic reciprocal causation. Triadic reciprocal causation is a system assuming human action as a result of an interaction with the environment, behavior, and a person. Bandura explains "person" as being a cognitive factor such as memory, anticipation, and planning. It is because of these cognitive capacities that some people can select or restructure their environment.

How is triadic reciprocal causation of social cognitive theory different than earlier behavioral learning theories?

Triadic reciprocal causation is a term introduced by Albert Bandura to refer to the mutual influence between …show more content…

b. vicarious reinforcement would be observed to be consequences of the behavior of the model.
c. Self reinforcement would be feelings of satisfaction or displeasure for behavior gauged by personal performance standards.

Learning by observation involves four separate processes: attention, retention, production and motivation.

1. Attention: Observers cannot learn unless they pay attention to what 's happening around them. This process is influenced by characteristics of the model, such as how much one likes or identifies with the model, and by characteristics of the observer, such as the observer 's expectations or level of emotional arousal.
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3. Retention: Observers must not only recognize the observed behavior but also remember it at some later time. This process depends on the observer 's ability to code or structure the information in an easily remembered form or to mentally or physically rehearse the model 's actions.
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5. Production : Observers must be physically and/intellectually capable of producing the act. In many cases the observer possesses the necessary responses. But sometimes, reproducing the model 's actions may involve skills the observer has not yet acquired. It is one thing to carefully watch a circus juggler, but it is quite another to go home and repeat those acts.
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7. Motivation: Coaches also give pep talks, recognizing the importance of motivational processes to learning.
8. Bandura clearly distinguishes between learning and

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