Social Cognitive Theory and Mind Colonialism. A Critical Review on Frantz Fanon Writings

Scientific Essay from the year 2017 in the subject Psychology - Social Psychology, grade: A, Addis Ababa University (School of Psychology), course: Advanced Social Psychology, language: English, abstract: Psychological theories are basically the reflection of the brain and mind interactions with human beings and the role of environment on the activation of individual behaviors and group influence. For such explanations, there are many perspectives by which the foundation of knowledge in the behavioral studies is developed into a full-scale theory. Social cognitive theory is also a product of such methodological concerns in which the formation of its essence contributes to the fundamental characteristics of human cognition in relation to its relevance to bring about a behavioral change and human development in terms of the human tendency to interpret the psychological world and learned through different mechanisms. On the other hand, Frantz Fanon was one of the most recognized black scholars in the 20th century. His prominent effect on the psychiatric, oppression psychology, colonialization and the need to use psycho - political tactics for the resistance /liberation movements of the colonized can be mentioned. In his rigorous effort to study and publish critical books and articles that concern human freedom and mind decolonization, he attracted scholars of the pre- and post-colonial era and different multi-disciplinary discourses. The fundamental point in his demonstrative of conceptualizing and renovating the power of consciousness to the act of freedom and human, concerns to the theorizing of mind, culture and their interrelation, come across the change that ultimately brings about liberation and self-reliance. Thus, it is easily understood that the thought of Frantz Fanon is relevant into the current postmodern world because it falls back into his analysis to the emergence, formation, and persistence of mind conditioning from previous colonial powers. Furthermore, both individuals and societies share this principally an explanation of the psychological acquisition of stimulus vs response attachment and other classifications of the learning process as a way to live by the rules of life in the long run.
Keywords: Mind Colonialism, Social Cognitive Theory, Social Learning Theory, Frantz Fanon, Albert Bandura

Yakob Tilahun Yimer is an Ethiopian who previously worked as a Social Affairs Researcher & Senior Policy Researcher (Governance Affairs) in the Office of the Legislative House of Ethiopia and currently works as a Senior Social Safeguard Expert at the World Bank-financed GEQIP-E Progam in the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. Regarding his educational background, he has earned a B.A degree in Psychology, a B.A degree in Sociology, and an M.A. degree in Social Psychology from Addis Ababa University.