Preparation
For this assessment, you will examine how behaviorism and social cognitive theories could be applied in an everyday learning situation. First, select one of
the four case studies presented in the Case Study media piece in the Required Resources area. You will use this case study to complete not only this
assessment, but assessments 2 and 5 as well.
Instructions
Reflecting upon what you have learned about behaviorism and social cognitive theories, describe the basic tenets of each theory.
Using theory-specific terminology, describe the elements of your selected case study that relate to each theory.
What elements of the case study would be important from a behaviorist perspective?
What elements of the case study would be important from a social cognitive perspective?
Pretend that the character in the scenario has overcome her or his learning barrier.
Explain how one might achieve his or her goal supported by each of the learning theories.
Complete the following:
Describe the basic tenets of behaviorism.
Describe the basic tenets of social cognitive theory
Apply behaviorism and social cognitive theory terminology and concepts to case study.
Explain how both behaviorism and social cognitive theory might be used to resolve the problem presented in the case study.
Additional Requirements
Length: 5–7 pages (not counting your title page or references), double-spaced, 12-point font.
Number of references: Minimum of 5 references.
Article distinctions: There are three different types of articles. Research articles present original research, review articles discuss research already
presented elsewhere, and survey articles are comprehensive review articles that discuss an entire field or area of research. References to books are
acceptable, but they should be kept to a minimum—probably no more than five.
APA style: You must use proper APA style to cite and list your references. Refer to the Writing Center’s APA Style and Format guidelines (located in the
Suggested Resources) for more information.
Format: Use the following structure:
Cover page (your name, your specialization or program, title and course number, current quarter and year, and instructor’s name).
Body, including headings and subheadings over the appropriate content.
Reference list.
Refer to the APA Style and Format guidelines for additional formatting information.
Style: Write in the third person as an impartial narrator. Avoid the use of I, we, or you. In particular, avoid phrases like “I think” in favor of phrases like “the
evidence suggests” or “research indicates.” In science, personal opinion carries no weight unless supported by a combination of empirical research and
statistical or logical-mathematical inference.
Other notes: Avoid long quoted passages from your source texts. This should be a synthesis of your own ideas, in your own words—even if your ideas refer
to the original ideas of others, in which case the references should be explicit. Writing at the graduate level should be scholarly and more than a mere
summary. It should present a unique thesis or at least a significant point you are trying to make, adding appreciably to what is already known of your topic.
Your point or thesis will stand or fall solely on its strength—that is, the quality and quantity of the evidence you present.
