The study “Social–Cognitive Determinants of Physical Activity: The Influence of Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Outcome Expectations, and Self-Regulation Among Participants in a Church-Based Health Promotion Study” focuses on the social cognitive model in relation to physical activity levels in adults recruited from 14 southwest Virginia churches. The article defines Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) as a postulate that environmental, personal and behavioral factors are collectively effective in determining behavior and behavior change. Furthermore, according to PowerPoint lecture “Social Cognitive Theory” by Dr. Dominick Sturz, SCT consists of 10 major concepts of which social support, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and self-regulation are …show more content…
Self-regulatory behavior was focused on encouraging and maintaining physical fitness using a 10- point Likert-type system measuring 20 items that were asked to participants. For example, participants were asked how certain they were they could increase their step count when they are tired. Outcome expectation is defined as a person’s expectations of a behavior will lead to positive or negative outcomes. Participants were asked on 5-point scale (agree—disagree) if there were to steadily increase their physical activity level what would happen (e.g. would have to change daily routine and sleep better) and 5-point scale (not at all—very much) if target outcome was achieved how much it would affect or matter to them (Anderson, Wojcik, Winett, & Williams, 2006, p. 513). Self-Regulation is one’s ability to control or monitors one’s behaviors, thoughts, and emotions and be able to alter them according to the situation presented. Participants were asked using a 5-point scale (never—repeatedly) how often in the 3 months prior to assessment did they enact self-regulations strategies pertaining to physical activity. Some self-regulatory behaviors mentioned in article include “Set aside time daily for physical activity, take breaks for physical activity, walk instead of drive, park further away to walk” (Anderson, Wojcik, Winett, & Williams, 2006, p. …show more content…
While the sample itself is large, it presents two challenges: most adults do not express interests in changing health behaviors and are regular church attendees. These findings would need to be verified in a population that represents a larger portion of citizens. Another criticism is due to the sample size of African Americans represented in the study cannot support multi-group analyses that could isolate difference and therefore suggest the social– cognitive model may operate differently among races (Anderson, Wojcik, Winett, & Williams, 2006, p. 519). I do agree with researchers that interventions should focus on self-regulatory behaviors giving incentives and effective planning methods for incorporating physical activity into daily
Most people have an aspiration to get rid of a certain unhealthy behaviour or to employ a new health behaviour that would benefit their wellbeing. Some examples include a wish to stop smoking, eating a balanced diet or getting rid of a sedentary lifestyle. Many psychologists have been trying to find a model that would help people fight these kinds of unwanted health behaviours. One of such is the Transtheoretical model of behavioural change (TTM) which will be the main focus of this essay. Specifically, how one’s sedentary lifestyle can be changed by bringing out a systematic exercising routine using TTM.
Health monitoring allows you to discover and treat health problems early, before consequences. Many psychological disorders, cancers, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders can be prevented by monitoring health and incorporating physical activity and exercise; for example: depression, breast cancer, obesity, cardiomyopathy, emphysema, and osteoarthritis. There are primary benefits that can be received from engaging in exercise or physical activity. One of the main benefits is reducing the risk of premature death: “it is been estimated that people who were physically active for approximately 7 hours a week have a 30 to 40% lower risk of dying early than those who are active less than 30 minutes per week” (Kohl & Murray 2012). It's clear that research has found the importance of avoiding inactivity and that even a little physical activity is better than none at all; due to dose response relation between poor health and the amount of physical activity.
Social psychology is a scientific study that studies how people think, feel, and how they behave under the influence of other people (Aronson, Wilson & Akert, 2013, p. 2). Thinking about what social influence really means, we tend to think of a person who tries to persuade another person to acting a certain way. It can be a form of peer pressure, like taking that first puff of a cigarette, or it can be conforming to popular societal views, such as obeying the law of the land. Fiction is a great way to learn about social psychological perspectives. Watching popular theatrical films is the perfect way to learn because it illustrates the application of many perceptions within the subject of social psychology.
Glanz, K., Rimer, B.K., Lewis, F.M. (2002). Health behavior and health education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
The SMART goal of the obesity program is to reduce the obese population in Pitt County by creating a healthier diet program. Different objectives will be needed in order to reach this goal. The first objective is that from July 2016 through December 2016 100 community members will participate in the health department’s health promotion activities. This objective aligns with the reinforcement construct of the Social Cognitive Theory. By repeatedly participating in the activities, the 100 community members will be rewarded with the knowledge they receive and also motivation to change their behavior. By having an enjoyable time, they will be rewarded and want to keep coming back to the activities. The second objective is that following the 6-month duration; the majority of the participants will lose 2-10% of their original body weight by changing to a healthier diet. The reason the participants need to lose 2-10% of their body weight is to either prevent or reduce the chances of gaining other health diseases associated with obesity, including coronary artery disease and Type 2 Diabetes. This objective aligns with the self-efficacy construct. By losing a little bit of body fat, the participants will believe in their ability to lose weight, and continue to do so. The third objective is that on June 17 and June 24, informational brochures will be distributed to the community members to create awareness and reminders to join the obesity program, and gain knowledge about the health condition of obesity. This objective deals with the behavioral capability construct of the Social Cognitive Theory because the participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to change their behavior through the brochures.
Personality is patterns of thinking, behavior and emotional responses that make up individuality over time. Psychologist attempt to understand how personality develops and its impact on how we behave. Several theories attempt to explain personality, using different approaches. The social-cognitive and humanistic approaches are two of many theories that attempt to explain personality. This essay will identify the main concepts of social-cognitive and humanistic approach, identify perspective differences and discuss approach limitations.
Social Cognitive theory is a learning theory, in light of individuals with new practices can be, learned by watching others. They learn by watching others and copying a model. This theory is established from behaviorism, in light of the fact that the theory manages subjective and enthusiastic parts of somebody 's conduct from watching and watching for comprehension behavioral change.
Personality can be defined as an individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling and acting. Many personality theorists have put forward claims as to where personality is derived from and how it develops throughout an individual’s life. The two main personality theories this essay will be focusing on is the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) (Bandura, 1986) and the Trait Theory – Five Factor Theory (FFT) (McCrae and Costa, 1995). The SCT allocates a central role to cognitive, observational learning and self-regulatory processes (Bandura, 1986). An individual’s personality develops through experiences with their sociocultural environment. Whereas the Trait Theory proposes that all individuals are predisposed with five traits (Extraversion, Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness and Neuroticism) which determines our personality. This theory also puts forward that personality is stable and cannot change as it’s biologically determined.
Theoretical perspectives in the study of human behavior can easily be applied to cases in social work practice. The mental health field in particular lends itself to the application of different human behavior theories. Specifically, depression can be viewed through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory, or Social Cognitive Learning. There is one case of a woman with depression, whose name will be changed, that social cognitive theory can be applied to. Cheryl is a 58 year old woman who has been diagnosed with Major depressive disorder. She has had this diagnosis since she was 17 years old. Many of her symptoms and experiences can be viewed or explained in terms of social cognitive theory.
6). Workplace health promotion designed to improve lifestyle, and ultimately enhance health, the ability to function, and productivity (Rongen, Robroek, van Lenthe, & Burdorf, 2013, p. 406). Over the years, various theoretical models have evolved to “articulate variables involved in health behavior to predict participation and engage would be non-participants” (Galloway, 2003). Health Belief Model was one of the first theories of health behavior developed in 1950s by a group of social psychologists, who sought to explain what motivates public to participate in programs designed for wellness promotion and disease prevention (Nursing Theories, 2013). According to this model, preventative behaviors depend on the individuals’ beliefs, including their vulnerabilities to the disease, the effect of the disease on their lives, and the effect of health activities on reducing the disease severity and susceptibility (Sharafkhani, Khorsandi, Shamsi, & Ranjbaran, 2014, p.
The social cognitive theory stressed on the social source of behavior besides the cognitive procedure that prejudiced both the individuals functioning and actions. Bandura’s social cognitive hypothesis argued that the cognitive issues are core to a person’s function and one can acquire knowledge without direct added support. This is through observation of replica. This is what he called the observational learning.
Everyday people use social cognition as a tool to help them thrive in social world. There are many important aspects of social cognition that are helpful to us in making decisions and help us to interpret the world around us. An important aspect that is linked to social cognition is that of thought suppression. Thought suppression is when a person tries to force particular thoughts, memories or feelings out of their minds that may be unpleasant or may cause a great deal of stress for the individual. Many people are unaware how often we use thought suppression in our daily lives, but the truth is we use it in almost every aspect of our day.
Social cognitive theory relates the performance of a behaviour change to an individual’s expectations of his or her particular performance and their probability in accomplishing that particular change (Plake). In regards to this specific model there are two types of expectations, outcomes and efficacy. Outcome expectations referring specifically to an individual’s belief that performance of a specific task or behaviour will lead to a specific outcome. Efficacy expectations refer to a person’s belief that they will be able to perform that behaviour change. All of the above mentioned facts can link specifically to various health behaviours that require changing in regards to Hypertension. When looking at specific health behaviours that are most often focused on there are five main areas which become prominent and seem to be the most problematic when dealing spe...
Social cognitive theory is the study on how an individual stores, processes, and applies information about others in their everyday life. It was first known as the “Social Learning Theory”, and was later changed to the term known today as the “Social Cognitive Theory”. The definition of social cognition is defined as any cognitive process that involves one or more than one person. While the definition of cognition is unconscious process in the brain that bring about representations. Social cognition purpose is to study social knowledge, social structure, group behavior, social influences, social categories (age, race, sex) defines a person. (Science Direct) Social cognition is thought to be the outcome of social interactions. One will learn by observing others, this is known as vicarious learning. For example, one is more likely to follow another’s behavior if they can identify with them, whether it be personality wise, age proximity, and more. (Verywell)
Social perception is 1.“the cognitive process that helps us form impressions of those around us and subconscious attitudes towards other people based their defining characteristics which help to comprehend a situation and gauge our behaviour accordingly. Social perception can be the mental progression of picking up clues and signals from others that help us form an early stage of what they may be like. Our brains may rely on stereotypes or previous similar experiences to build a picture of what to expect from any given social encounter”