Social Cognitive and Sociocultural Theories

The Social Cognitive Theory is based on the assumption that learning takes place through observation. For learning to happen, a model performs a specific behavior and a learner observes the behavior and imitates that behavior. This is how learning happens. There are factors, however that effect if the learning will happen or not. The first is the characteristics of a model. A learner is more likely to follow a model that they look up to. They behavior must be relevant to the learner and the model must be successful at the behavior. Many times gender also plays a role.

            Similarly, the imitator’s characteristics play a factor on if the behavior is learned. The learner must pay attention to the behavior, remember and be capable of performing, and have motivation to do it. The environment can also reinforce or punish behaviors and change the likelihood of them occurring. Personal factors include self-regulation and self-efficacy, which deal with a person’s self control and confidence in their own ability.

One implication for teaching according to Social Cognitive Theory is that a teacher’s efficacy will have an affect on what they teach. A teacher must have a high teacher efficacy, or confidence in their ability to teach and manage a classroom. This influences student’s efficacy and affects their achievements.

Sociocultural Theory is based on the fact that all learners learn through socialization. Knowledge occurs through lived practices of the people in a society, according to the reading. This theory says that the fact that we are social is central to learning. Knowledge is just our ability to pursue social enterprises (or things the society values).

I was confused about the three interacting dimensions of the Sociocultural Theory; they are mutual engagement, a joint enterprise, and a shared repertoire. Could someone clarify what exactly these things are?

Other people affect the way I learn in many ways. Sometimes others challenge me, trying to do as well as them or keep up with them. Other times I learn from them. Hearing about their experiences can give me knowledge I would otherwise never have known. I think it affects what counts as learning or intelligence because everyone has his or her own definition of what learning, knowledge, and intelligence are. Some people may consider you wise if you know a lot of information, while others may consider you wise if you are able to communicate with people well. Knowledge is a matter of opinion based on society; therefore, society can affect what we think of as knowledge.