Social cognitive theory and physical activity: Mechanisms of behavior change, critique, and legacy

With a view to understanding and explaining human behavior, Bandura developed social cognitive theory (SCT; 1986, 2001). This theory articulates the causal mechanisms through which efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations, sociostructural factors, and goals influence behavior. The purpose of this review is to critically appraise the current state of knowledge in the physical activity domain, as it relates to the core tenets of Bandura’s SCT, and in particular those aspects of the theory that have received less attention. A state-of-the-art review. The review highlights five major critiques and contentions related to SCT, and also provides an overview of the legacy of this framework within the physical activity domain. Implications for theory refinement, future research, and knowledge mobilization are discussed.