Examination of Two Theories

Examination of Two Theories: Social Cognitive Theory verse Phenomenological Theory

Kathy Patacsil

Capella Universty

The social cognitive perspective of personality emphasizes the importance of observational learning, self-efficacy, situational influences and cognitive processes. The major theorist was Albert Bandura who emphasized the importance of social learning, or learning through observation. His theory emphasized the role of conscious thoughts including self-efficacy or our own beliefs in our abilities. Whereas the Phenomenological perspective of personality focuses on psychological growth, free will and personal awareness. It takes a more positive outlook on human nature and is centered on how each person can achieve their individual potential. The major theorists are Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

The social cognitive theory proposed by Albert Bandura has become the most influential theory of learning and development. It considers that people learn from one another including such concepts as observational learning, imitation and modeling. This theory explains human behavior in terms of continuous reciprocal between cognitive, behavioral and environmental influences.

Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory is the framework of learning based on the relationship between behaviors, personal factors and factors in the environment. Factors for social cognitive theory are based on a social or physical environment. Social environments encompass friends, colleagues and family. The social cognitive theory explains the process functions of humans and aspects of emotional behaviors. In understanding these behaviors, the process of understanding behavioral change becomes clearer. According to Burney (2008), this cognitive process provides a backdrop for humans to observe their environment and others using the information gathered to self-regulate their functions.

The social-cognitive theory explains human behavior in terms of continuous...