Social cognitive theory of morality

The social cognitive theory of morality attempts to explain how moral thinking, in interaction with other psychosocial determinants, govern individual moral conduct. Social cognitive theory adopts an interactionist perspective to the development of moral behavior. Personal factors of the individual, such as individual moral thought, emotional reactions to behavior, personal moral conduct, and factors within their environment, all interact with, and affect each other. Social cognitive theory contests, in many ways, with the stage theories of moral reasoning.

Social cognitive theory attempts to understand why an individual uses a "lower level" of moral reasoning when they are, theoretically, at a higher level. It also attempts to explain the way social interactions help to form new, as well as change existing, moral standards.

The influence of modeling and other social factors are explored as functions of growth and development. Psychologist Albert Bandura believes that moral development is best understood by considering a combination of social and cognitive factors, especially those involving self-control.