From Observation to Innovation: The Lasting Impact of Bandura’s Theory in Today’s Classrooms

Authors

  • Apostolos Kaltsas University of the Basque Country, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17630858

Keywords:

Social cognitive theory, self-efficacy, observational learning, motivation in education, teacher modelling.

Abstract

Albert Bandura's theory has several implications for contemporary instructional practices. Bandura emphasises the importance of learning through observation/imitation/modelling, as well as self-regulation. These attributes are vital and fundamental components of collaborative learning contexts and technology-enhanced learning experiences. A review of the literature examining Bandura's work reveals that self-efficacy is predictive of both academic and occupational success, thereby enhancing motivation and determination. The review also comments on the significance of learning within the socio-cultural contexts. Some concerns exist regarding the socio-cognitive theory's emphasis on self-efficacy, particularly in relation to Bandura's metaphor about human behaviour and reciprocal determinism. However, the theory works well for developing inclusive educational communities that foster student resilience in today's classrooms.

References

Αllan, J. (2017). Αn αnαlysis of Αlbert Βαndurα’s αggressiοn: Α sοciαl learning αnαlysis. CRC Press.

Artino, A. R., & Jones, K. D. (2012). Exploring The Complex Relations Between Achievement Emotions and Self-Regulated Learning Behaviours in Online Learning. https://www.scribd.com/document/228557150/exploring-the-complex-relations-between-achievement-emotions-and-self-regulated-learning-behaviors-in-online-learning.

Bandura, Albert. (2001). Social Cognitive Theory: An Agentic Perspective. Annual review of psychology, 52, 1-26. 10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.1.

Bandura, A. (2013). The role of self-efficacy in goal-based motivation. In E. A. Locke & G. P Latham (Eds.), Development in goal setting and task performance (pp. 147-157). Taylor & Francis.

Bandura, A. (2018). Toward a psychology of human agency: Pathways and reflections. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(2), 130–136. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691617699280

Foster, M. (2023). Vicarious learning through dialogic scripted and unscripted videos: Orientations and problem solving behaviors (Doctoral dissertation, University of California San Diego). https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4np0n7j2

Hadwin, A., Jarvelä, S., & Miller, M. (2017). Self-regulation, co-regulation, and sharedregulation in collaborative learning environments. In Handbook of self-regulation of learning and performance (pp. 83-106). Routledge.

Heng, Qingzhi & Chu, Lina. (2023). Self-efficacy, reflection, and resilience as predictors of work engagement among English teachers. Frontiers in Psychology. 14. 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1160681.

İnceçay, V., & Dikilitaş, K. (2022). Online peer observation: Reflections on a process based job embedded professional development activity through video recordings. Teaching and Teacher Education, 120, 103901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103901.

Klassen, R., & Durksen, T. & Tze, V. (2013). Teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs: Ready to move from theory to practice? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263279794_Teachers'_self-efficacy_beliefs_Ready_to_move_from_theory_to_practice

López Angulo, Y., Sáez Delgado, F., Mella Norambuena, J., Bernardo, A. B., & Díaz Mujica, A. (2023). Predictive model of the dropout intention of Chilean university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 893894. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.893894

Panadero Ernesto. (2017). A Review of Self-regulated Learning: Six Models and Four Directions for Research. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 422. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00422

Pérez-González, J.C. (2008). Propuesta para la evaluación de programas de educación socioemocional. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, 6(15), 523- 546. https://doi.org/10.25115/ejrep.v6i15.1285.

Safiek Mokhlis & Abdul Hakim Abdullah (2025). School innovation climate as a driver of teachers’ innovative work behavior: the mediating role of self efficacy. International. Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 14(5). doi: 10.11591/ijere.v14i5.3275

Schunk, D. H., & Usher, E. L. (2019). Social cognitive theory and motivation. In R. M. Ryan (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation (2nd ed., pp. 13–27). Oxford University Press.

Schunk, D. H. (2020). Learning theories: An educational perspective (8th ed.). Pearson.

Schunk, D. H., & Di Benedetto, M. K. (2021). Motivation and social cognitive theory. Contemporary Educational Psychology 60, 101832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.101832

Usher, E. L., & Pajares, F. (2008). Sources of Self-Efficacy in School: Critical Review of the Literature and Future Directions. Review of Educational Research, 78(4), 751-796. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654308321456.

Woreta, G. T., Zewude, G. T., & Józsa, K. (2025). The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations in the Relationship Between Peer Context and Academic Engagement: A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective. Behavioral Sciences, 15(5), 681. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050681.

Yot-Domínguez, C., Marcelo, C. (2017). University students’ self-regulated learning using digital technologies. Int J Educ Technol High Educ 14, 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-017-0076-8.

Zimmerman, B. J., & Kitsantas, A. (2014). Comparing students’ self-discipline and self-regulation measures and their prediction of academic achievement. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 39(2), 145-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2014.03.004.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-26