Behaviorism is the learning output from the research of B.F Skinner and the concept of Operant Conditioning. Behaviorism theorists believe that knowledge exists independently and outside of people. They view the learner as a blank slate who must be provided the experience. Behaviorists believe that learning actually occurs when new behaviors or changes in behaviors are acquired through associations between stimuli and responses. Thus, association leads to a change in behavior.
Learning Process
The learning process is based on objectively observable changes in behavior. Behavior theorists define learning simply as the acquisition of a new behavior or change in behavior. The theory is that learning begins when a stimulus with some type of response. Consequences that reinforce the desired behavior are arranged to follow the desired behavior(e.g. study for a test and get a good grade). The new behavior pattern can be repeated so it becomes automatic. The change in behavior of the learner signifies that learning has occurred. Teachers use Behaviourism when they reward or punish student behaviors.
Examples and applications of behaviors learning theory:
- Drill/Rote Work
- Repetitive practice
- Bonus points(providing an incentive to do more)
- Participation points (providing an incentive to participate)
- Verbal Reinforcement (saying "good job")
- Establishing Rules
Pavlovian Conditioning
Like many great scientific advances, Pavlovian conditioning (classical conditioning) was discovered accidentally.
During the 1980s, Russian psychologist, Ivan Pavlov was researching salivation in dogs in response to being fed. He inserted a small test tube into the cheek of each dog to measure saliva when the dogs were fed(with powder made from meat).
Pavlov predicted the dogs would salivate in response to the food placed in front of them, but he noticed that his dogs would begin to salivate whenever they heard the footsteps of his assistant who was bringing them the food.
When Pavlov discovered that any object or event which the dogs learned to associate with food(such as the lab assistant) would trigger the same response, he realized that he had made an important scientific discovery. Accordingly, he devoted the rest of his career to studying this type of learning.
Pavlovian Conditioning: Introduction
Pavlov (1902) started from the idea that there are some things that a dog does not need to learn. For example, dogs don’t learn to salivate whenever they see food. This reflex is ‘hard-wired’ into the dog.
In behaviourist terms, food is an unconditioned stimulus and salivation is an unconditioned response (i.e., a stimulus-response connection that required no learning).
Unconditioned Stimulus (Food) > Unconditioned Response (Salivate)
In his experiment,Pavlov used a metronome as his neutral stimulus.By itself the metronome did not elicit(evoke/extract) a response from the dogs.
Neutral Stimulus (Metronome) > No Conditioned Response
Next,Pavlov began the conditioning procedure, whereby the clicking metronome was introduced just before he gave food to his dogs. After a number of repeats(trails) of this procedure he presented the metronome on its own.
The sound of the clicking metronome on its own now caused an increase in salivation.
Conditioned Stimulus(Metronome) > Conditioned Response(Salivate)
So the do has learned an association between the metronome and the food and a new behavior had been learned. Because this response is learned (or conditioned), it is called a conditioned response(and also known as a Pavlovian response). The neutral stimulus has become a conditioned stimulus.
Pavlov found for associations to be made, the two stimuli had to be presented close together in time (such as bell). He called this las of temporal contiguity. If the time between the conditioned stimulus (bell) and unconditioned stimulus (food) is too great, then learning will not occur.
Summary of Pavlovian Conditioning
To summarize, classical conditioning (later developed by Watson,1913) involves learning to associate an unconditioned stimulus that already brings about a particular response(i.e, a reflex) with a new(conditioned) stimulus, so that the new stimulus brings about the same response.
Pavlov developed some rather unfriendly technical terms to describe this process. The unconditioned stimulus (or UCS) is the object or event that originally produces the reflexive natural response.
The response to this is called the unconditioned response or UCR. The neutral stimulus (NS) is a new stimulus that does not produce a response.
Once the neutral stimulus has become associated with the unconditioned stimulus, it becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS). The conditioned response (CR) is the response to the conditioned stimulus.
The some characteristics of Classical Conditioning are:
Theory of Reward and Punishment
Theory of reward and punishment is also based on condition. Children know that they will be punished as a result of wrong actions and they will be rewarded as a result of good deeds. Thus, for conditioning of the child it is essential to punish him for his misdeeds and give him reward for distinctions. This thing motivates the children in the classroom.
Useful in Language Learning
The teacher can utilize this conditioning method in the classroom for teaching the languages. Conditioning is very useful in language training, particularly Sanskrit language. The correct use of the language makes the child conditioned for the use of that particular language. Apart from Sanskrit language, this conditioning method is quite effective for the learning of subjects like Mathematics.
Helpful in Removal of Superstitions
A teacher can make the use of the conditioning method to eliminate the superstations of the children. Certain superstations like sneezing and passing the cat across your way etc., can be removed by this method. The teacher has to develop faith in the children through conditioning that such types of superstitions have no place in real life situations. They have to be pulled out of his false orbit.
Helpful in Adjustment
The conditioning method helps the child in adjusting in various types of environments. The beginning of this takes place with the adjustment of the child in class room conditions and school circumstances. Later, he applies all this to make adjustment in real life difficult and odd circumstances.
Development of Attitudes
Conditioning may help the child in breaking negative and prompting attitudes. In short, good and bad habits may be developed in the child through this method of conditioning. Proper habits can be formed by providing the education of positive behaviour and values to the child. Thus, a teacher should present himself before the children as an ideal. A conditioning between good examples and responses of the children will help in developing a healthy attitude in the child.
Use of Audio-Visual Aids
The use of audio-visual aids in the classroom can be made effective through conditioning. For example, if a word parrot is to be taught to the children in the class, then the picture of the parrot must be shown to them along with the word written on the white-board. Children will say that word after looking at the picture. Then the picture is removed and the children will repeat only the written word. Thus, the children could learn to speak the word parrot as a result of conditioning.
Arousal of Fear, Love and Jealousy
The conditioning helps in accelerating the development of fear, love and jealousy among the students in the classroom. For instance, if a teacher beats any child excessively or he makes fun of him in the midst of his classmates, then, quite naturally that child will show fear or jealousy for that teacher even after hearing his name only. On the contrary, if a teacher exhibits love and affection for students,in return the students will show full regard for that teacher.
Useful in Mental Hospitals
The mental cases and emotionally unstable children can best be treated with this process of conditioning. There is quite a lot of research evidence, on behalf of which, one may confidently admit the role of conditioning on the treatment of mental patients. Moss Ward Atmosphere Scale is a pioneer in this regard. It stated that on account of love, affection and good treatment many complexes and fears can be removed from the minds of such patients and such type of conditioning helps in their early recovery.
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