The internal and external stimulus

Running head: SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY
SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY
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SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY
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Introduction
The social cognitive theory is directed as per the observational learning and agentic
perspective by highlighting the importance of self-developing, self-reliant, self-reflecting and
self-confidence. Social cognitive theory can be developed by the internal and external stimulus in
which the people interact (Meena 2016). Therefore the main aim of the discussion is to critique
the social cognitive theory to develop clear idea and importance of the concept in health
promotion.
Foundation and background of social cognitive theory
Social cognitive theory is the theory which is related to the framework developed to
identify the activity of people that is also impacted by the environment. From the research of the
Connolly et al. (2017), it can be said that social cognitive theory is the cognitive construction of
social learning of the people. The theory was stated by Albert bandura, who was a psychology
professor focusing on the process and steps of observational learning and transformation, which
impact the self-efficacy of the behaviour of the individual. Before the formulation of the theory,
the philosophers were mostly affected by the principle of behaviourism. It was in the year 1963
that Richard Walter and Albert Bandura focused on the interaction of the learning, cognitive and
past experience, which is based on the principle of natural occurrence. The theory stands on the
pillar of personal experience, behavioural determinants and environmental factor (Tremblay,
Vitaro and Côté 2018).
From the study of Aliakbari et al. (2015), it can be said that social cognitive theory is
founded on learning from observing the behavior of others. Hence, it regards as the reciprocal
communication which is influenced by the intellectual, social and conservational factors. The

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principle foundation of social cognitive theory relies on the procedure of modelling and
simulated based on the self-efficacy.
Research on social cognitive theory
The theory has been supported by Borhaninejad et al. (2017) by concluding that self-care
of the type 2 diabetes patient can be done with the help of social cognitive theory. The theory is
also helpful in promoting physical activity in the elderly adult and improving the health of the
community (Joseph et al. 2017). The approach has been applied by various research to improve
health behaviour as narrated in the study of Shamizadeh et al. (2019) where the author has used
the learning of the model to the unhealthy behaviour. Thus it can be said that the theory is
supported by the by various research which reflects its significance.
Social cognitive theory and promotion of health
The theory can be useful in promoting health by applying it to disease prevention and
modifying human behaviour. It is evident from the research that people are unaware of the
consequence of the lifestyle on their health, and they adapt to the environment of interaction.
Hence, there is the need of self-influence to overcome the impediment (Hagger et al. 2016).
Concerning the concept of the theory, self-efficacy to implement control the on one's behaviour
is regarded as the process of the psychological influence that pose an impact on the health
promotion (Hagger et al. 2016). An approach to health promotion needs amendment in the social
system that has massive effect on the health of the people. The belief that people to bring social
modification can play an essential role in health promotion according to the view of wellbeing.
The self-efficacy concerning social cognitive theory is evaluated against the challenges being
faced. It is evident from the research that social cognitive theory can also address health issue