In the reciprocation to the depth psychology, Behaviourism arose. This was the initial time of twentieth century. However, explicitly the social cognitive theory took its establishment around 1970s.
Within these two views, many concepts are identical, and their application and contributions to human understanding and societal betterment are equally essential.
Social Cognitive Theory vs Behaviorism
The difference between Social Cognitive Theory and Behaviorism is that Albert Bandura is the proponent of the former. B.F. Skinner, Ivan Pavlov, and John Watson, on the other hand, are proponents of behaviourism. Learning is accomplished through the interaction of environmental, behavioural, and personal factors in Social Cognitive Theory. However, in the case of Behaviourism, it is accomplished through environmental factors. Although Social Cognitive Theory is a learning theory, Behaviorism is a type of psychological approach. However, it can be considered as a learning theory as well.
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Social Cognitive Theory’s core concepts include observational learning, triadic reciprocal determination, and self-efficiency. Behaviourism is a psychological concept as well as a learning theory.
Behaviourism is based on framed experiments like ‘Little Albert,’ Pavlov’s dog experiments, and Skinner’s pigeon and rat experiments. Behaviourism is a psychological concept as well as a learning theory.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Social Cognitive Theory | Behaviourism |
|---|---|---|
| Proponent | Albert Bandura. | B.F. Skinner, Ivan Pavlov and John Watson. |
| Application | Children’s socialization and media modelling. | Treatment of illness related to mind, such as depression. |
| Framed experiments | Bobo Doll experiment of Albert Bandura. | ‘Little Albert’, dog experiments by Pavlov and pigeon and rats experiment by Skinner. |
| Nature | A learning theory. | A psychological approach and a learning theory. |
| Core concepts | Observational learning, triadic reciprocal determination and self-efficiency. | Classical conditioning, stimulus-response behaviour. |
| Learning | Learning is done via interaction between environmental, behavioural and personal factors. | Learning is done via environmental factors. |
What is Social Cognitive Theory?
Albert Bandura proposed this theory in his book called, “Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory”. This book was published in 1986.
Even though Bandura is a behaviourist, he takes a different approach to learn new habits than orthodox behaviourists. Observational learning, in his view, is how humans acquire new behaviours.
Furthermore, he used the term “self-efficiency.” It solely refers to one’s belief in one’s own potential to manufacture and act appropriately in any given situation.
What is Behaviorism?
Behaviourism is a psychology approach and a learning view that claims that behaviour is learnt by conditioning. In this process, the environment continuously influences a habit, either weakening or strengthening it.
Although behaviourism can be found in psychological writings dating back to the late 1800s. Many theorists have contributed to this body of knowledge.
In terms of psychology, behaviourism rejects concepts like mental processes and unconscious motivations that aren’t visible instead of focusing on behaviour that can be monitored and controlled.
Main Differences Between Social Cognitive Theory and Behaviorism
- Observational learning, triadic reciprocal determination and self-efficiency are the core concepts provided by Social Cognitive Theory.
- In the case of Social Cognitive Theory, learning is done via interaction between environmental, behavioural and personal factors.
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1987-27834-001
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=sj_qg_fHP2oC&oi=fnd&pg=PA33&dq=Social+Cognitive+Theory+and+Behaviorism&ots=7XWwu_m13S&sig=06EGadi_c1zdXP0wcGY683VFAao
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
