Which is the single most important aspect of sct as applied to health promotion?

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) describes the influence of individual experiences, the actions of others, and environmental factors on individual health behaviors. SCT provides opportunities for social support through instilling expectations, self-efficacy, and using observational learning and other reinforcements to achieve behavior change.

Key components of the SCT related to individual behavior change include:

  • Self-efficacy: The belief that an individual has control over and is able to execute a behavior.
  • Behavioral capability: Understanding and having the skill to perform a behavior.
  • Expectations: Determining the outcomes of behavior change.
  • Expectancies: Assigning a value to the outcomes of behavior change.
  • Self-control: Regulating and monitoring individual behavior.
  • Observational learning: Watching and observing outcomes of others performing or modeling the desired behavior.
  • Reinforcements: Promoting incentives and rewards that encourage behavior change.

Social Cognitive Theory Examples

  • Healthy Relationships, a program implemented by Chattanooga CARES, is a small-group intervention for people living with HIV/AIDS. The program is based on the Social Cognitive Theory and uses skill-building exercises to increase independence and develop healthy behaviors among participants.
  • HoMBReS is a community-based intervention designed to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among Latino men living in rural areas of the United States. Based on the Social Cognitive Theory, the program trains “Navegantes” (Navigators) who provide information and risk reduction materials to the target population.

Considerations for Implementation

The SCT can be applied as a theoretical framework in different settings and populations. It is frequently used to guide behavior change interventions. It may be particularly useful in rural communities for examining how individuals interact with their surroundings. The SCT can be used to understand the influence of social determinants of health and a person's past experiences on behavior change.

Resources to Learn More

Social Cognitive Theory
Website
Provides an overview of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) in health promotion activities.
Organization(s): Boston University School of Public Health

Social Cognitive Theory Applied to Health and Risk Messaging

  • Steven H. Kelder, School of Public Health, University of Texas
  • Deanna M. HoelscherDeanna M. HoelscherSchool of Public Health, University of Texas
  •  and Ross ShegogRoss ShegogSchool of Public Health, University of Texas

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What is a strength of the SCT?

SCT provides opportunities for social support through instilling expectations, self-efficacy, and using observational learning and other reinforcements to achieve behavior change.

What is perhaps the most widely known theoretical construct in the field of health behavior?

Perceived self-efficacy is the most widely known theoretical construct in the field of health behavior. It is a person's perception of his or her ability to perform a specific behavior.

Are social learning theory and social cognitive theory the same?

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) started as the Social Learning Theory (SLT) in the 1960s by Albert Bandura. It developed into the SCT in 1986 and posits that learning occurs in a social context with a dynamic and reciprocal interaction of the person, environment, and behavior.

What is Enactive attainment?

Experience, or "enactive attainment" – The experience of mastery is the most important factor determining a person's self-efficacy. Success raises self-efficacy, while failure lowers it. According to psychologist Erik Erikson: "Children cannot be fooled by empty praise and condescending encouragement.