Social Cognitive Theory of Mass Communication
2001/08/01 by Albert Bandura · 1 voice · 17 citations
Arts and Humanities · Physics and Astronomy · Psychology · #Media Influence and Health #Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence #Communication in Education and Healthcare
paper · doi:10.1207/s1532785xmep0303_03
openalex publication_date 2001/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02
Abstract
Social cognitive theory provides an agentic conceptual framework within which to analyze the determinants and psychosocial mechanisms through which symbolic communication influences human thought, affect and action. Communications systems operate through two pathways. In the direct pathway, they promote changes by informing, enabling, motivating, and guiding participants. In the socially mediated pathway, media influences link participants to social networks and community settings that provide natural incentives and continued personalized guidance, for desired change. Social cognitive theory analyzes social diffusion of new styles of behavior in terms of the psychosocial factors governing their acquisition and adoption and the social networks through which they spread and are supported. Structural interconnectedness provides potential diffusion paths; sociocognitive factors largely determine what diffuses through those paths.
Citations
Cited by
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- It’s True, but Still Harmful: Examining the Effects of Overgeneralized Health Messages by Social Media Influencers Using Two Pre-Registered Experiments
- A double-edged sword? Identifying the influence of peers, mass and social media on engagement in mobile phone use while driving
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- A Content Analysis of Teen Parenthood in “Teen Mom” Reality Programming
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- Individual factors of expected and unexpected sexting and the subsequent feelings: A nationally representative study in adolescents
- Adolescents, Sex, and the Media: Ooooo, Baby, Baby–a Q & A
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- Understanding the Effects of MTV's 16 and Pregnant on Adolescent Girls' Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Teen Pregnancy
Discussions