The social cognitive theory (SCT) is a type of interpersonal level approach that describes active and continues way of learning by observing others. It is grounded by many assumptions (Boston University School of Public Health, n.d.). I believed an environmental and interventional approach can be used to tackle the problem of waste scattering; it is an effective implementation of garbage collection system. When travelling to certain underdeveloped countries, such as cities and towns with high population density, the widespread of trash and wastes materials are common on the roadsides. This could be lack of infrastructural approach; knowledge of proper method to tack the problems; lack of technological assistance; lack of political-will to approach the issue; and other socio-economic barriers to the problems. Likewise, an effective garbage management system could lead to the widespread of trash around the cities. The federal and state governments can implement an incentive model where the concept of reinforcement is used as a deterrence approach to the disposal of garbage and trash. Social cognitive theory is one of the most commonly used behavior change theories. The central premise of social cognitive theory is reciprocal determinism, which is the interaction of person, environment, and behavior. The idea of reinforcement in social cognitive theory (SCT) is the notion that responses to individual’s behavior can be controlled via self-initiative rewards of some sorts or incentives (National Cancer Institute Rimer, Glanz, 2005). SCT describes the influence of individual experiences, the actions of others, and environmental factors on individual health behaviors. Reinforcements, as a connective idea of SCT is the promotion of incentives and rewards that encourage behavior change.
One of the most powerful public incentives is the tax-breaks or cost avoidance. Federal, states, and local governments, at little or no cost, may adopt similar incentive tools. For example, the sole primary cost may be in the preparation and adoption of these tools, and subsequent monitoring of their outcomes (Corsi et al, 2012). Monitoring costs can be minimized if proper reporting and evaluation requirements are included in the design and adoption of a particular program. In some countries, specific locations for garbage-dumbing are rare or not properly used. Public awareness about ‘keeping city’ clean is limited in the majority of developing counties. Behavioral capability, as a concept of social cognitive theory can be used to minimize the excessive spread of trash in communities. Behavioral capability can further be used to promote mastery of learning via skills training (National Cancer Institute Rimer, Glanz, 2005). Individual shared responsibility is a win-win solution for the improvement of environmental pollution, and for the community to tackle health hazards of garbage dumping. One of the constructive ideas of SCT is the role of community members i.e. capacity-building behavior to improve community health (Jack, 2008). In SCT, reciprocal determinism and behavioral capability can explain dynamic interaction of the population, their behaviors, and the environment, which the behavior of garbage-dumping is performed. By using behavioral capability and learning outcomes, the population has the potential to discontinue related behaviors, i.e. refuse dispersal.
Boston University School of Public Health (n.d.). The Social Cognitive Theory. Retrieved from http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-Modules/SB/SB721-Models/SB721-Models5.html
Corsi, D. J., Subramanian, S. V., McKee, M., Wei, L., Swaminathan, S., Lopez-Jaramillo, P., &… Schooling, C. M. (2012). Environmental Profile of a Community’s Health (EPOCH): An Ecometric Assessment of Measures of the Community Environment Based on Individual Perception. Plos ONE, 7(9), 1-7.
National Cancer Institute, Rimer, B. K., & Glanz, K. A. (2005). Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
Jack, K., & Holt, M. (2008). Community profiling as part of a health needs assessment. Nursing Standard, 22(18), 51-56.
