PLE: Number 2 :Motivation

Motivation: directs behavior toward particular goals
Growing up I feel that my parents, whether they were consciously aware of it or not, used social cognitive theory as their main parenting style. My parents were firm believers in learning right from wrong through your actions and consequences. They started off with strict rules for my brother and I and eventually the restrictions became less severe. Eventually, the need for correction was not necessary. My brother and I knew what we were to do wanted to do the right thing. Consequence was not our motivation to stay on task and complete goals. The feeling of know what was expected and the right thing to do was the motivation for our actions and goals. I feel this has stayed with me all through my life. Now when I need to complete a goal I am intrinsically motivated because I want to complete the goal. I feel like this is a wonderful way to help motivate children. If I were a teacher I would use this theory in my classroom. I feel this theory builds the most self-worth within an individual. A good way that a teacher could implement this theory in the classroom is by acting in a manner that is also expected of the students. It is not the only thing that a teacher needs to do but it is an important part of the theory. Albert Bandura, the leading psychologist in the development of social cognitive learning, felt that a person could change their way of thinking if exposed to other behaviors. "People not only gain understanding through reflection, they evaluate and alter their own thinking," Albert Bandura. If I were a teacher another way I would use theory in my classroom would be to explain certain actions or scenarios so the students could evaluate and think and maybe discuss the issues involved. "If people are persuaded they have what it takes to succeed, they exert more effort and avoid focusing on their doubts when problems arise," Albert Bandura. I strongly, strongly agree with this statement. Children are clean slates, if they are encouraged and shown that they have control over the outcome of their actions then they are more likely to build a high sense of self worth. I feel that it is important in a classroom to always encourage students and help them find solutions, not settle with limitations. If I were a teacher this would be my goal: always find a solution to change the outcome of any situation.


   http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologyquotes/a/banduraquotes.htm
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NbTU1EivJs