COMPARISON AND CONTRAST OF COGNITIVE THEORIES
Members:
Aton, Jessa Mae T.
Canoy, Jonadab Janiel P.
Cantero, Aaron Dave D.
Leones, Marie Clyde J.
Vincent Thomas Evangelista
Teacher
Cognitive Theories: Rotter, Bandura, and Beck
• Julian Rotter’s Social Learning Theory focuses on how individuals learn through
their experiences and expectations. He proposed that behavior is influenced by two
key factors: expectancy (the belief that a certain behavior will lead to a specific
outcome) and reinforcement value (how much a person values that outcome). A
major concept in Rotter’s theory is locus of control, which refers to whether
individuals believe their actions influence events (internal locus of control) or if
external forces, such as luck or fate, determine outcomes (external locus of
control). This theory suggests that people’s choices and behaviors are driven by their
past experiences and their belief in how much control they have over their
circumstances.
• Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory builds on Rotter’s ideas but places more
emphasis on learning through observation. Bandura introduced the concept of
observational learning, where individuals learn by watching others and imitating
their behavior. Another major element of his theory is self-efficacy, which is the
belief in one’s ability to succeed in a specific situation. Bandura also developed the
idea of reciprocal determinism, which explains that behavior, personal factors
(such as thoughts and emotions), and the environment continuously influence one
another. Unlike Rotter, Bandura emphasizes that learning does not always require
direct experience—people can develop new behaviors simply by observing role
models. His theory is widely applied in education, motivation, and behavior change
programs.
• Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Theory shifts the focus from learning and behavior to
thought processes and mental health. Beck argued that psychological distress is
largely due to cognitive distortions, or irrational and negative thought patterns that
shape emotions and behavior. He identified patterns such as overgeneralization,
catastrophizing, and black-and-white thinking as key contributors to anxiety and
depression. He also introduced the concept of automatic thoughts, which are
subconscious, often negative thoughts that influence emotions and actions. Beck’s
work laid the foundation for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a widely used
therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify and challenge negative thinking
patterns to improve mental health.
Comparison
• All three theories emphasize the role of cognition in shaping human behavior, though
they focus on different aspects. Rotter, Bandura, and Beck each acknowledge that
human actions are influenced by internal cognitive processes rather than just
external stimuli. Both Rotter and Bandura explore how individuals make choices
based on their expectations of outcomes, while Beck delves deeper into how faulty
thinking patterns contribute to emotional distress. Additionally, Bandura and Rotter
agree that past experiences influence current behavior, though Bandura adds that
people can learn new behaviors through observation without direct experience.
Beck’s theory aligns with Bandura’s idea of self-efficacy, as both suggest that
changing one’s thoughts can lead to behavioral improvement.
Contrast
• Despite their similarities, these theories differ in focus. Rotter’s theory centers on
decision-making and motivation, explaining why people choose certain behaviors
based on their expected outcomes. Bandura, on the other hand, highlights learning
through observation and how behavior is influenced by social interactions.
Meanwhile, Beck’s approach is rooted in clinical psychology, concentrating on
cognitive distortions and how they affect emotional well-being. Another key
difference is that Rotter and Bandura emphasize external influences, such as
environment and reinforcement, while Beck focuses on internal cognitive
processes that shape emotions. Additionally, while Rotter and Bandura primarily
address general human behavior and learning, Beck’s work is more closely tied to
mental health treatment and therapy.
These three theories, though distinct, collectively contribute to the understanding of how
cognition influences behavior, learning, and emotional well-being.
