How Does Social Learning Theory Stem From The Social-Cognitive Perspective?

Rooted in the concepts of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning, the social-cognitive perspective stems from the social learning theory as it observes developing personality as one socially interacts with his or her environment (Franzoi p. 570). Since every behavior one observes will not be retained, the theory also proposes that individuals adopt behaviors through modeling and motivation that reflect his or her locus of control, learned helplessness, optimism, and self-control. Aside from external reinforcement, individuals are said to assume the result of his or her actions are contingent on either ungovernable environmental factors, known as an external locus of control, or his or her own endeavors, known as an internal locus of control. Those who have an external locus of control often experience feelings of powerlessness and are liable to undergo learned helplessness, a behavior that results from “repeated exposure to aversive events believed to be unavoidable “(572). Doubting any sense of mastery over a stressor, the individual will most likely give up on any effort to lessen the threat, undertaking emotion-focused coping tactics. For example, a student who is failing a class may blame the school system for his or her personal failure and either procrastinate his or her work or give up on the course entirely, …show more content…
Individuals said to have an internal locus of control typically have a heightened sense of self-efficacy and are likely to