Compare and contrast Social learning theory and cognitive behavioral theory

Abstract

Learning theories play an important role in our life. The social learning theory and cognitive behavioral theories has an significant impact on our life. Both of these theories focus on the developmental aspect of life. Social learning theory emphasize on learning come from observation. Where as cognitive behavioral theory explains learning comes from mental processes. These theories has implication in current life scenarios.

Overview of Social learning theory and cognitive behavioral theory4

Historical Background4

Memory and motivation6

Role of therapist7

Scenario 1: A client has missed some of her assignment and difficulty in being motivated;7

Scenario 2: A 15 year old male client having difficulty with anger management8

Conclusion10

References11

Compare and contrast Social learning theory and cognitive behavioral theory

Introduction

Overview of Social learning theory and cognitive behavioral theory

Behavioral theories present learning as results of occurrences responses of different environmental factors. These theories emphasize learning as behavioral observable phenomena. Skinner (1953) presents learning occur in response to a stimuli and its probability depends on the type of reinforcement. The older learning theories were based on behaviorism. In contrast, cognitive theory presents learning as results of different mental processes. The implication of both theories has significance in educational sector where behavioral theories emphasis on providing better learning environment and cognitive theory focus that students should be given a meaningful knowledge and consider the perception of learner on it (Shunk, 2008).

The main difference between these theories are that the behavioral theory focus is on the observation of the obvious behavior, where cognitive theory go insight of person's thought process.

Behavioral theory considers the reinforcement of behavior and Cognitive theory emphasis on the childhood history while treating individuals.

Historical Background

The social learning theory argue that the learning occur through observation. Albert Bandura was the man who states that people learn new behavior when they observes others behaviors and attitudes. Bandura in his 'Bobo Doll Experiment' find that hoe social behaviors can be learned through modeling and imitation. His research presented three facts related to aggression; how pattern develops, what provokes it and its probability in the future.

Albert Bandura is known for his famous 'Social learning theory' of human learning and behavior. Completing his doctorate degree from University of lowa, he worked as clinical intern and later joined Stanford as a teacher. During his internship, he found his interest in learning and behaviorism. In the context of Bandura's approach, the process of learning involves notions like stimuli, responses, reward, conditioning and other factors.

The early phase of the 21st century, most of the research was on behaviorism. Since then, human learning was still a big question for many theorists. This gave a new direction in area of human learning development. The central theme for the Cognitive behavioral defines behavior is a result of the inner thoughts. The cognitive theorists' claims that an individual learning is result of mental process. The influence of cognitive factors human development and the way it change the behavior was the main motivation behind this ...