Social learning theory and traditional behaviorism are both theories that involve reward and punishment in molding an individual’s behavior. Experience is vital to learn concepts and ideas but personal and environmental factors as well as the interpretation of learning and reinforcement is quite different between the two cognitive theories. How does social learning theory differ from traditional behaviorism?
According to social learning theory, a behavior may be obtained from a direct learning experience or by observing the behavior of others (Bandura, 1971). Actions that produce unfavorable consequences are rejected thus a pattern of behavior is created. Social learning theory views knowledge attainment as a cognitive processing of information but that may or may not lead to immediate behavioral change. Rewards and punishments lead to expectations and several interrelated factors such as behavioral, environmental, and personal aspect of the individual also shape the actions of the person (Miller, 2011).
On the other hand, traditional behaviorism is experimentally manageable and knowledge acquisition is a change in observable behavior (Graham, 2010). Several psychologists thought that this theory was limited in explaining the complex behavior of human beings albeit modern psychology continues to be influenced by traditional behaviorism (Nevid, 2013). Personal traits are not believed to have an effect as one-way correlation only exists between the environment and behavior. Traditional behaviorists believe that rewards and punishments are the direct cause of behavior (Eggen & Kauchak, 2001). Examples of traditional behaviorism application include classical conditioning by Ivan Pavlov and operant conditioning by Burrhus Frederic Skinner.
It is evident from the above statements that the more widely accepted cognitive theory today is the social learning theory compared to traditional behaviorism. Social learning theorists consider the complexity of human behavior and realistically explain knowledge acquisition through imitation and not always by direct experience which is contrary to the tenets practiced by traditional behaviorists. Nevertheless, both theories were correct in that rewards and punishments greatly affect an individual’s learning and behavior.
References:
Bandura, A. (1971). Social learning theory. Madison, NY: General Learning.
Eggen, P. & Kauchak, D. (2001). Educational psychology: windows on classrooms. NJ: Prentice
Hall.
Graham, G. (2010). Behaviorism. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/behaviorism/
Miller, P.H. (2011). Theories of developmental psychology (5th ed.). Madison, NY: Worth.
Nevid, J.S. (2013). Psychology: concepts and applications (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
