Question
How does reciprocal determinism affect learning?
Answer
Reciprocal determinism, a concept from Bandura’s social cognitive theory, describes how personal factors, behaviours, and environmental influences interact and affect learning. This dynamic interplay can significantly impact learning processes and outcomes.
Key Effects of Reciprocal Determinism on Learning
Influence on Learning Behaviours: Reciprocal determinism suggests that learners’ perceptions and self-efficacy can mediate the impact of external factors, such as exams, on their learning activities. For instance, students’ perceptions of a high-stakes test can directly and indirectly influence their extracurricular learning activities, with self-efficacy playing a crucial mediating role (Zhang, 2021).
Online Learning Dynamics: In online learning environments, personal factors, behaviours, and environmental elements significantly influence learning outcomes. The interaction of these factors can shape students’ online learning experiences, highlighting the importance of designing supportive online environments (Chai and Ye, 2024; Pan, 2022).
Self-Efficacy and Academic Performance: The reciprocal relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance is well-documented. Self-efficacy can influence academic achievement, and vice versa, suggesting a feedback loop where each element reinforces the other (Honicke, Broadbent and Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz, 2023; Williams and Williams, 2010; Lu et al., 2021).
Emotional and Behavioural Interactions: Emotions and behaviours are also part of this reciprocal process. Positive emotions can enhance academic performance, while negative emotions can hinder it. This bidirectional influence underscores the importance of emotional well-being in learning (Pekrun et al., 2017).
Self-Directed Learning: In self-directed learning, reciprocal determinism helps explain how learners select resources and manage their learning processes. The interaction between personal agency, behaviour, and environment is crucial for effective self-directed learning (Ponton and Dondlinger, 2022).
Conclusion
Reciprocal determinism significantly affects learning by illustrating the complex interactions between personal, behavioural, and environmental factors. Understanding these interactions can help educators design more effective learning environments and interventions that enhance student engagement and achievement.
References
Zhang, J., 2021. A moderated mediation analysis of the relationship between a high-stakes English test and test takers’ extracurricular English learning activities. Language Testing in Asia, 11, pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-021-00120-x
Chai, J., & Ye, J., 2024. A social network analysis of college students’ online learning during the epidemic era: A triadic reciprocal determinism perspective. Heliyon, 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28107
Honicke, T., Broadbent, J., & Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz, M., 2023. The self-efficacy and academic performance reciprocal relationship: the influence of task difficulty and baseline achievement on learner trajectory. Higher Education Research & Development, 42, pp. 1936 – 1953. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2023.2197194
Ponton, M., & Dondlinger, M., 2022. A Sociocognitive Discussion of Learning Resource Selection in Self-Directed Learning. International Journal of Learning and Development. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v12i2.19924
Williams, T., & Williams, K., 2010. Self-Efficacy and Performance in Mathematics: Reciprocal Determinism in 33 Nations.. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102, pp. 453-466. https://doi.org/10.1037/A0017271
Lu, B., Deng, Y., Yao, X., & Li, Z., 2021. Learning Goal Orientation and Academic Performance: A Dynamic model. Journal of Career Assessment, 30, pp. 329 – 344. https://doi.org/10.1177/10690727211043437
Pekrun, R., Lichtenfeld, S., Marsh, H., Murayama, K., & Goetz, T., 2017. Achievement Emotions and Academic Performance: Longitudinal Models of Reciprocal Effects.. Child development, 88 5, pp. 1653-1670. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12704
Pan, X., 2022. Examining the influencing factors and the functioning mechanism of online learning supporting learners’ empowerment. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1028264
Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.
