Theory of self-regulation (Bandura)

The theory of self-regulation of the Canadian psychologist Albert Bandura is based on his earlier work on social cognitive learning theory and is closely related to the concept of self-efficacy . Bandura describes the process of intra- individual action control which, according to Heckhausen, takes place during the action phase .

Process of self-regulation

According to Bandura, the process of self-regulation consists of the three components "self-observation", "self-assessment" and "self-reaction", which follow one another and influence one another:

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Introspection

Introspection serves two functions. First, feelings, behavior and the associated situational conditions are registered. In this way, important knowledge about oneself and its effects are gained (diagnosis). On the other hand, self- observation fulfills the function of self- motivation : “The self- motivating function arises from the tendency to set increasing levels of difficulty with closer observation of one's own actions” (Nerdinger, 2001, p. 363).

Self-assessment

During the self-assessment, what has been observed and what has been achieved is compared with one's own internal standards (level of aspiration, goals). These standards are not to be confused with the specifications of the client or employer, but arise exclusively from the inner characteristics of a person.

Self-reaction

The self-reactions of the person follow from the self-assessment. On the one hand, these consist of the “material reward”. This term encompasses all those small reward and punishment rituals with which a person controls their own behavior (e.g. the coffee break after successfully completing an important section or the "refusal" to go to the cinema evening while the dirty laundry is still in the room Garment bag piles up). On the other hand, both affective and cognitive reactions follow from the self-assessment. Affective reactions are, for example, pride or dissatisfaction. The cognitive responses primarily include assessing how well you have achieved your goals. This ultimately creates the expectation of being able to cope with certain tasks rather well or poorly ( expectation of self-efficacy ).

The reward and punishment rituals act in the sense of instrumental self-conditioning, reinforcing successful behavior and reducing behavior that is less effective. At least in the best case - whoever reacts to non-goal-oriented behavior (staring out of the window) with small reward rituals (“First a cigarette, then it’s better again”), of course, reinforces this unfavorable behavior.

Affective and cognitive reactions, especially the (positive or negative) self-efficacy developed in this way, have an effect on self-observation and self-assessment by adjusting both the level of aspiration and the level of difficulty of the goals set accordingly.

It is plausible that positive self-efficacy has a performance-enhancing effect, since increasingly higher goals are set and self-confidently approached and goal-oriented behavior is reinforced. Confidence in one's own effectiveness (self-efficacy) increases the efficiency of self-regulation.

Conclusion for operational practice

The development in companies is currently moving towards flatter hierarchies (“slimming down” the company). This means that employees at middle and lower hierarchical levels are increasingly entrusted with tasks that require independent and largely independent action in the interests of the company.

"In preparation for such tasks, self-regulation training offers the appropriate exercise modules" (Nerdinger, 2001, p. 364): Exercise in objective self-assessment ; Objective of suitable behavior; Learning to be successful in self-monitoring ; Learning of self-empowerment strategies ; Recording of the set goals, the actions to achieve the goal and the conditions for self-affirmation in so-called written contracts (for yourself) and learning of strategies to maintain or generalize what you have learned to the everyday operational situation.

In this way, the participants should learn to consciously control their own behavior and to motivate themselves.

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Bandura, A. (1990). Self-Regulation of Motivation Through Anticipatory and Self-Reactive Mechanisms . In: RA Dienstbier (ed.), Perspectives on Motivation , Nebraska Symposium on Motivation 1990, University of Nebraska Press, (pp. 69-164). ISBN 0-8032-1693-9 ( excerpts under Google Book Search )
Nerdinger, FW (2001). Motivation . In: H. Schuler, Textbook of Personnel Psychology . Göttingen: Hogrefe (p. 362–364)