Understanding Abuse Through SCT
Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is used in learning and psychology to explain knowledge acquisition as well as beliefs through social interaction. According to this theory, what we learn and believe comes to be in society and not in isolation. This is possible through the interactions of cognitive/biological, environmental, and behavior factors. These interactions are explained through Triadic Reciprocal Determinism (TRD). Each factor interacts with each other but not necessarily balanced. The environment interacts with behavior offering cues of acceptance or rejection, these cues are interpreted cognitively and acted upon as a response to the environment. We are both influenced by our environment as we are influencers of it. We are not in total control of our circumstances but we are not completely controlled by them.
Abuse is a harmful, injurious, or offensive way of treatment. It could be both physical and psychological. Understanding abuse through SCT provides a foundation to depict abuse within a context, and also classification of interpretations and responses to it. For instance, abuse could be classified as an environmental factor or as a behavior depending on the abuser/victim perspective. When a person is abused it is interpreted and acted upon in response. In some cases victims of abuse become perpetrators in response. How a person responds to abuse or acts upon as an abuser depends on cognitive interpretations. Each instance of abuse has a specific context and multiple variables to be considered.
Behavioral cues towards the environment can provide insights of how abuse marked a person’s life. Retraction from social interaction, violence, hot temper, lack of coping skills are some examples of indications of abuse an its effects. Human’s cognitive capacity to interpret symbols and environmental cues provides the opportunity for individuals to surpass or conquer their circumstances using abuse antecedents as a form of a learning experience and motivation to improve their lives and help others find a path for rehabilitation.
The scars of abuse might never disappear but how people respond to their past is a choice that is achievable through a renewal of the mind, the soul, the heart, and the spirit. Recognizing the marks of abuse is not an enjoyable experience and cleaning the wounds of the past could be a very painful experience. However, this could be the beginning of healing. Healing is a process that won’t happen in a day but it produces joy that was lost and the chance to enjoy life away from fear.
The exhibit as featured artist at The Gallery at Elemar came to a close. I had to remove my art from the stage where the featured artist exhibits the work. It is someone else’s time to use the stage. My work was on stage since November 2014. I still show my work there. As I was moving stuff around and trying to figure out my exhibit area I was thinking about Pablo Picasso and his quote, “Give me a museum and I’ll fill it.” I can fill one too. Maybe a museum is too big for me but I’m sure I can fill a gallery or a studio.
I’ve been thinking about a figure study workshop and open figure drawing nights for a while. That I would love to do on a regular basis. Also, the studio space could be great for all the private classes. I could also hold open studios and show openings. It would be amazing to be able to present the new collection along with the book in a place like that. There is so much to dream about. That is the first step to make it a reality. Dream on, my friend.
I do not think I have a special wisdom or some kind of talent to speak to people’s need. I am also far away from being a preacher, a prophet, or a motivational speaker (although I used to be a motivational speaker a long time ago). In my short life and the experiences I’ve been through, as well as the times I learned from what I’ve seen from others, I learned to pause and see the world. I do see the world with a little humor which is not always understood by others but it is fun inside my head. Learning from the Bible as well as having a holistic view of the world helps me connect the dots. That doesn’t mean that I know everything or that I have everything figured out. No one does. I am just glad and thankful that I can share the little I know and bright the day for someone.
You win in some ways and you lose some things. I believe that it is mostly wins. The things you lose are opportunities to move forward. Now I don’t have studio space to work on my sculptures, but that could be just enough motivation to look forward to open a studio where people can see the art displayed, learn, and have fun with art. For now, I am having a lot of fun traveling and extending the 
Yes, I still do it in Milford and it is going wonderfully. During the moving process I also had the chance to present on Online Media Tips for Artists, to participate in a basketball tournament, help dome friends, take the kids to their basketball games, and continue with our family activities. Ten days later I am writing again. I am thankful for the messages and the people still visiting the page waiting for the next post. 
I also keep drawing daily, because not having a studio space is not an excuse for not having studio time. Soon I’ll be sharing about other wonderful things happening this year.
The New Adventure Begins
Today the new adventure begins. New experiences can be very scary but others can be very exciting. Our new adventure is more of the second without taking away a little of the first. For many years our daughter has been asking for a dog. We could not have it back were we used to live but we managed to let her have a hamster who is the baby of house. Tommy has been with us for almost 2 years. He has his own Instagram account, is potty-trained, and takes naps with us. We learned to recognize when he needs the bathroom, when he is thirsty, when he is hungry, and when he just wants to cuddle. He even recognizes when we call his name. Yes, I’m still talking about the hamster.
This was the deal. We promised our daughter that as soon as we moved to a place where dogs were permitted we could get her one if she demonstrated good care of Tommy. She has been amazing. Today we are picking up our new family member. His name is Percy, a 7 months old shih tzu we have never met. I guess online dating took a very interesting turn. We are all very excited to meet Percy. I think it is going to be a great experience for all of us.
One thing we can learn from our daughter’s experience is that “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16:10). We all have to jump on doing great things and show what we are capable of in a larger scale that we get the chance too. Maybe we need to start small and be faithful and responsible in those little things. Our hard work will be rewarded in due time. Certain sacrifices can be blessings disguised.
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