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Question.3442 - Chosen Critical Thinking Question Question 3: Compare how Bandura’s social learning theory is different from Skinner’s operant conditioning.

Answer Below:

  Discussion Bandura’s social learning theory and Skinner’s operant theory both aim to study how behaviour is learned. However, there are major differences between these two theories from the perspective of their processes. In Bandura’s social learning theory, learning is emphasized through the observations and imitations of others’ behaviour (Rumjaun & Narod, 2020). In this context, children mostly imitate their parents' behaviour, teachers’ behaviour, peers’ behaviour, and role models’ behaviour and learning. Modelling is a core concept in this theory. In contrast, Skinner has focused on learning through positive or negative reinforcement and punishment (Skinner, 1971). This theory explains that the desired behaviour is positively reinforced or rewarded while the undesired behaviour is negatively reinforced or punished. This approach helps to increase the positive or desired behaviour and reduce the undesired behaviour in the children. Overall, it can be reflected that Bandura has focused on roles of vicarious learning, in contrast, Skinner has focused on direct modification of the behavior through reinforcements. References Rumjaun, A., & Narod, F. (2020). Social learning theory—albert bandura. Science education in theory and practice: An introductory guide to learning theory, 85-99. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-43620-9_7 Skinner, B. F. (1971). Operant conditioning. The encyclopedia of education, 7, 29-33.

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