The Evolution Of Social Cognitive Theory

Abstract The present chapter documents the evolution of social cognitive theory. Before retracing this theoretical odyssey, I will describe brieXy the key tenets on which this theory is founded. Social cognitive theory adopts an agentic perspective to selfdevelopment, adaptation, and change (Bandura, 2001). To be an agent is to inxuence intentionally one’s functioning and life circumstances. In this view, people are self-organizing, proactive, self-regulating, and self-rexecting. They are contributors to their life circumstances not just products of them.