Theoretical Review: Social Cognitive Theory In The Classroom

Theoretical Review

As theoretical review, I read, through different books, journals, and articles for language learning theories related to my research topic. I found that Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is closely related with my study, which I discussed below.

Social Cognitive Theory Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is a theory of psychology, which provides a clear foundation for classroom interventions designed to improve students ' learning. Bandura (1986) states that in social cognitive theory, learning from the effects of actions, is a special case of observational learning. This theory states that students learn through direct experience, observation, and modeling. Modeling is also present in how we develop language abilities (Bandura, 1989). Of course teachers exhibit different nonverbal behaviors that may influence students ' learning English. In Social Cognitive Theory, people are neither driven by inner force nor automatically shaped and controlled by the environment. Bandura (1986) states that learning can occur by watching others and then modeling what they do or say which is known as observational learning. Bandura (1986) posits that virtually all learning phenomena can occur by observing other people 's behavior and consequence of it. Further he states that there are four key aspects which are attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation in Social Cognitive Theory.

This theory seemed to be supported to my study because it focused on observation which plays fundamental role to learn English. This theory believs that learning takes places through direct observation, modeling, social environment, skills, stratigies, and attitudes. In EFL classroom, teachers exhibit different behaviors (verbal and nonverbal), skills, and attitudes by creating learning environment which may influence students to learn an English language.This theory helped me to see what types of nonverbals behaviors teachers demonstrate through modeling while teaching. Similarly, this theory gave me insight to explore the aims of this study. By using this theory, I saw whether the students influence by teachers ' nonverbal behaviors or not. Furthermore, this theory provided students to learn through observation and modelling of the teacher wich supported me explore teachers ' nonverbal behaviors, students ' perceptions towards nonverbal behaviors and how do they influence learning English. Hence, Social Cognitive Theory provided major theoritical foundation for this