Behaviorism and social learning theory are psychological theories used to provide in-depth explanations of behavior. Though they both focus on the behavior, they have different approaches in their methodology. Both theories have strong supporting literature; however, there is no clear distinction on which theory performs better. Though the social learning theory shares some similarities with behaviorism, it appends the notion of cognitive thoughts to behavior. Behaviorism and social cognitive theory have numerous applications in society; understanding their functionality can provide detail on their respective efficacies.
Behaviorism
Behaviorism is a theory applied in psychology that states, through their actions or behaviors, objective research on humans and animals is attainable. The 19th-century psychology is the core of the study as behaviorism is based on the reaction to the practice (Baum, 2017). Animal and human psychology were based on self-examination of thoughts and emotions. In retrospect, behaviorism arose as a response to mentalism, which focused on perception and cognition. Mentalism studied the mind through correlation and examining the mind's cognitive processes and emotional states (Lee, 2017). Behaviorism is in two main categories, namely, methodological and radical behaviorism. J.B. Watson heavily inspired methodological behaviorism and refused to accept mentalist methods. He detailed his methods of psychology centered on the definition of psychology, the science of behavior. B.F. Skinner alternatively contrasted the behaviorists of the time (Baum, 2017). By focusing on the scientific explanation compared to methods, he supported radical behaviorism. He believed that discernable behaviors were superficial indicators of unseen mental processes. This led to two forms of conditioning classical and operant conditioning (Lee, 2017).
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Social Cognitive Theory
Professor Albert Bandura, the psychologist from Stanford University, developed the social cognitive theory as a learning mode (Hewstone, Stroebe & Jonas, 2015) l. The theory offers the necessary structures for comprehending how people shape the environment shapes or vice verse. A key factor of the social cognitive theory is observational learning. The 1960s Bobo Dolls Experiment by Bandura, alongside his colleagues, disapproved B.F. Skinner's notion of behaviorism. Skinner assumed that learning was only be attained from individual action (Lefrançois, 2019). However, Bandura's study supported their notion of observational learning as people observe and imitate models in their environment, acquiring information faster.
Observational learning, according to Bandura, occurs in a specific sequence. Attentional processes being the first, information is selected and accounts for observation within the environment. The second step in the sequence is retention processes; this involves recalling the observed information for successful reconstruction at a later period. Production processes is the third step with the reconstruction of the observed information from memory. Therefore, the information learned is applied in the proper setting (Hewstone, Stroebe & Jonas, 2015). However, Bandura acknowledges that replication may not be exact as alterations are possible to fit the situation. Finally, motivational processes, conducive observable behaviors are rewarded, thereby motivating the reproduction of the behavior. However, punishment is inclusive, but to lessen the imitation of specific behaviors, this is key in molding specific behaviors in individuals.
Social cognitive theory has been part of numerous daily activities from a young age. Among the most resilient memories are negative feedbacks and punishment attained for bad juvenile behavior as a teenager. The objective was to prevent the making of mistakes that could lead to compromising situations in the future. Other examples include the action of parents not smoking in front of their children; the action engaged kids to appreciate smoking as an unhealthy habit. Therefore, behaviorism concentrates on how behavior can be changed by their surroundings, whereas social cognitive theory tries to help people understand what is learned and how control is placed to determine appropriate learning.
References
Baum, W. (2017). Understanding Behaviorism: Behavior, Culture, and Evolution (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Hewstone, M., Stroebe, W., & Jonas, K. (2015). An introduction to social psychology (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishers.
Lee, V. (2017). Beyond behaviorism . London: Routledge.
Lefrançois, G. (2019). Theories of Human Learning (7th ed., pp. 366-392). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
