Social Cognitive Theory and P.E.
In brief, Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory is a perspective on human development and learning. Since development is a lifelong process, his theory concerns the changes in the psychosocial functioning of adults as well as children. Development is not a monolithic process. Human capabilities vary in their psychobiological origins and in the experiential conditions needed to enhance and sustain them. Thus, Bandura created a "Model of Causation" which expresses a three-way approach: behavior, cognition, and other personal factors and environmental influences all operate as interacting determinants that influence each other. The three points in this triad are: 1. behavior; 2. the cognitive, biological and internal events that affect one's perceptions and actions; 3. the environment. According to Bandura, each point acts upon the other points, and as a whole this influences the development of the person.
Social systems that cultivate competencies, create opportunities, provide helpful resources, and allow room for self-directedness increase the chances that people will realize what they wish to become (Bandura, 1989).
For the P.E. teacher, we have the opportunity to create with our lessons the very "social system" which Bandura states. Obviously, every child has a certain ability level and in a typical class there will be a wide range of ability levels. However, we set up environmental factors through our lesson design, management strategies, interactions with students, and the quality of social interactions we nurture in our classes. This simple fact greatly impacts upon the perceptions, actions, and behaviors of all the students. The physical education experience can be an essential factor in the positive growth and development of our students; not only limited to the physical/recreational/leisure time pursuits, but in the total sphere of human development.
In brief, Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory is a perspective on human development and learning. Since development is a lifelong process, his theory concerns the changes in the psychosocial functioning of adults as well as children. Development is not a monolithic process. Human capabilities vary in their psychobiological origins and in the experiential conditions needed to enhance and sustain them. Thus, Bandura created a "Model of Causation" which expresses a three-way approach: behavior, cognition, and other personal factors and environmental influences all operate as interacting determinants that influence each other. The three points in this triad are: 1. behavior; 2. the cognitive, biological and internal events that affect one's perceptions and actions; 3. the environment. According to Bandura, each point acts upon the other points, and as a whole this influences the development of the person.
Social systems that cultivate competencies, create opportunities, provide helpful resources, and allow room for self-directedness increase the chances that people will realize what they wish to become (Bandura, 1989).
For the P.E. teacher, we have the opportunity to create with our lessons the very "social system" which Bandura states. Obviously, every child has a certain ability level and in a typical class there will be a wide range of ability levels. However, we set up environmental factors through our lesson design, management strategies, interactions with students, and the quality of social interactions we nurture in our classes. This simple fact greatly impacts upon the perceptions, actions, and behaviors of all the students. The physical education experience can be an essential factor in the positive growth and development of our students; not only limited to the physical/recreational/leisure time pursuits, but in the total sphere of human development.