Behaviorism or Social Cognitive Learning Theory

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Behaviorism and social cognitive theories are two great theories to use when setting up a behavior management plan in the classroom. They both offer reinforcements to get desired behaviors. Social cognitive theory focuses on observations that can be used to understand what and how people learn and how they take control of their own behavior (Ormrod, 2011, p. 323). Behaviorism focuses on environmental stimuli that changes individual’s behaviors (Ormrod, 2011, p. 285). Observing and taking care of own behavior and environmental alteration to change a behavior are the key differences between these two methods. When using these in the classroom, both theories are both effective if used with the right student. Behaviorism and social cognitive theories use different methods to reach goals. Identifying the main components of both theories and their differences is the first step to understanding them and how each theory guides behavior management in classrooms. Behaviorism will be first.
First behaviorism is used to identify what is going on in the environment to cause a particular behavior. If Bob punches Joe in the face the teacher needs to find out why and how this behavior can be conditioned which is when the teacher is teaching Bob an appropriate response (behavior) to a particular event (stimuli) into a positive outcome. Using behaviorism methods the teacher can do this. The instructor must look into Bob’s back ground first. (He is a 10 year old boy that was raised in a foster home of all different ages of boys. It has been reported that physical violence was present in this foster home). “Learning involves forming associations among stimuli and responses” (Ormrod, 2011, p. 286) so the teacher must quickly look at wha...

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...le but not grunted. This future reinforcement can be going to basketball practice every day in hopes of winning every game. Vicarious reinforcement can be describes as watching a team of basketball players who were rumored to practice twice as long as other teams win numerous games. This could lead to the observers to learn that longer practice can equal more wins. Vicarious punishment is when another person is observed being punished leading to the unlikelihood of observers avoiding the same punishable behavior. This proves that learners have some control of their learning and performances (Ormrod, 2011, pp. 324-327). Motivation fits in with self-efficacy. After comparing Behaviorism and Social Cognitive theories there is not a significant difference in the goals.

Works Cited
Ormrod, J. E. (2011). Edcational Psychology Developing Learners. Boston: Pearson.

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