Behavioral Vs. Social Cognitive Theory

Running head: BEHAVIORAL VS. SOCIAL COGNITIVE 1

Behavioral vs. Social Cognitive Theory

[Author]

[Institution] BEHAVIORAL VS. SOCIAL COGNITIVE 2

Behavioral Psychology Known as “behaviorism,” behavioral theory was founded at the end of the 19th century by

Edward Thorndike and John Broadus Watson as a way to study the root causes that influence human behavior. (Hergenhahn, 2009) The theory, which has evolved and changed throughout time, states that all human behavior is acquired via interaction with the environment. The way this happens is through “conditioning.” Conditioning means to provoke an action via a stimulus, or motivation. When the motivator is present, the behavior happens. Therefore, behavioral theory concludes that stimulus from the environment decides how we react to everyday life. (Thorndike,

1911) Genetics play a part in all human emotion but, according to behaviorists, the environment has a higher impact that even supersedes genetics. In other words, we are a product of the immediate world in which we work, interact, and communicate with others. (Farmer, Nelson-

Grey, 2005)

Theoretical tenets

As previously stated, behavioral theory is based on conditioning. Conditioning is the application of a stimulus to make the behavior happen. However, a behavior can still occur even if you substitute the stimulus with something else. For example, Pavlov (1928) used a bell to signal dogs that food was available. The dogs would salivate, as a result. However, Pavlov would also ring the bell to the dog without giving it food. The result was the same: the dogs salivated anyway. The implication with conditioning is that people can achieve a change in action, or develop a new behavior, with the application of a stimulus (motivation) given in a variety of ways. (Schultz, Schultz, 2013) BEHAVIORAL VS. SOCIAL COGNITIVE 3 Operant Conditioning

B.F Skinner (1938) proposed the idea of Operant Conditioning. In this case, the stimulus is given in a systematic way that would entice a behavioral response. However, this conditioning also includes a negative stimulus that would make a behavior disappear. This is a reward and punishment system based the coined terms “reinforcers” and “reinforcement,”

“punishers”, and “neutral operants.” (Skinner, 1938)

Reinforcers, punishers, and neutral operants

Skinner came up with the term “reinforcement” to show that an expected behavior can be repeated or weakened all the way to extinction if only the adequate stimulus is present. The reinforcers are the positive motivators that make people act upon something. Working for a salary is an example of a positive motivator. Neutral operants are not really stimuli because their application does not increase or take away the behavior. Negative reinforcers, or punishment, are a negative outcomes of the behavior. (Schultz, Schultz, 2013) Therefore, in operant conditioning, desired behaviors are rewarded so that they can persist and remain. Behaviors that are unwanted, or unexpected, are either punished with a negative reward or not rewarded at all.

Limitations and criticism

People are conditioned on a daily basis. From social media interactions, to getting paid for working, negative and positive motivators are out there to curb human behavior. The key limitation of behavioral theory is that it does not consider genetics and focuses merely on the environment as the main driver of daily actions. While the debate of which is stronger, whether nature or nurture, will always exist, it is clear that personality traits that are inherited also play a BEHAVIORAL VS. SOCIAL COGNITIVE 4 role in the way that we behave. Therefore, there has to be more than just environmental input that determines behavior.

Social Learning Approach

Albert Bandura (1986) proposed a different theory of behavior. His theory agrees with the previously-discussed tenet of conditioning, but Bandura adds to it. First, he proposes that behavior can also result from the process of mediating that takes place between the stimulus and the response. Second, that behavior is not just based on motivators that help propel or extinguish it, but also through “observational learning.” This implies that behavior also surfaces after we have mimicked the behaviors of others. (Bandura, 1986)

Observational learning

The way that this happens, according to Bandura, is by, first, watching and repeating the behaviors and attitudes of people that are perceived to be similar. For example, boys would likely imitate what other boys do and girls do the same. Then, as the behavior is imitated, it will persist if it is rewarded or decrease if it is punished. The presence of positive and negative reinforcers as variables is the midpoint where behavioral theory and social cognitive theory meet.

Self-efficacy and self- control

Other important tenets of social cognitive theory are self-efficacy and self-control. These two behaviors serve as personal monitoring mechanisms that control how people behave. Self- efficacy is born from the way that people perceive the behaviors of others, compared to their own. Those with higher confidence in themselves will display more self-efficacy and, therefore, will likely perform better. (Schultz, Schultz, 2013) BEHAVIORAL VS. SOCIAL COGNITIVE 5 Self-control refers to the ability to curb behavior without the need of an external motivator. People who are aware of who they are, their capacity to do things, and their limitations, are likely to exert self-control and not allow passion, or impulsivity, take over their rational thinking process.

Limitations and criticism

Bandura’s social learning approach makes sense in that it is true that all humans tend to copy one another. Whether it is the want to belong to a group, or the need to connect with someone, all people tend to follow trends, ideals, philosophies, and systems of belief. We vote for what we believe, and get together to go against things we do not believe in. All of these are examples of how socially influenced we are. The only thing that is not clear in this theory is how genetics may play a role. However, Social Learning is more open than Behavioral therapy in that it views human interaction from a more organic, and less operant, point of view.

Conclusion: Influence of the theories on my views

These theories are important because they help me understand the importance of motivation in everyday behavior. Motivation, in the form of a stimulus, propels change. Change is the development of new behaviors; therefore, motivation is everything. This entails that, for me to make changes in my life, or ask others to change their behaviors, there must be a stimulus or goal to reach. Small, attainable and realistic goals may be the key motivator to make bigger changes in the long run. Therefore, I would conclude that we all need stimulus; we all need something to look forward to in order to change and live life to the maximum. That is the ultimate lesson learned from the theories of behavior and social learning. BEHAVIORAL VS. SOCIAL COGNITIVE 6 References

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. New York: Prentice Hall.

Farmer, R. F., & Nelson-Gray, R. O. (2005). “The history of behavior therapy”

In R. F. Farmer & R. O. Nelson-Gray (Eds.), Personality-guided behavior therapy (pp.

33–49). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Hergenhahn, B.R. (2009), An Introduction to the History of Psychology, Wadsworth:

Cengage Learning

Pavlov, I. P. (1928). Lectures on conditioned reflexes. London: Allen and Unwin

Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2013). Theories of personality (10th ed.). Belmont, CA:

Cengage/Wadsworth

Thorndike, E. Animal Intelligence. (1911).

Classics in the History of Psychology:

Retrieved on May 20, 2017 from

http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Thorndike/Animal/chap2.htm