Academic Optimism in the Context of Social Cognitive Theory

Optimism has positive expectations for future events. An individual's level of optimism is related to his past experiences. On the other hand, academic optimism reflects the level of positive expectations in the individual's future life, depending on the successes, happiness, and joys experienced in his past academic life. In this study, the concept of academic optimism is explained in the context of social cognitive theory. Guiding explanations of the social cognitive theory are included in understanding the concept of academic optimism in schools. How the triple determinism model is adapted to the school environment is explained based on the triple reciprocity model. Studies demonstrating the importance of collective efficacy, confidence, and academic emphasis, which are components of academic optimism, for student success are included. Information was given about the postgraduate theses on academic optimism in Turkey. It has been understood that studies have focused more on the relationship between leadership styles and academic optimism. [For the full proceedings, see ED631133.]