Behavior Learning Theory

Behaviorism is an approach to psychology based on the proposition that behavior can be researched scientifically without recourse to inner mental states. All species of animals learn in similar ways by using same guiding principles, to understand the learning processes, they focus on the stimulus and the responses. The behavior is determined by the environment either through association or reinforcement.

Behaviorism assumes a learner is essentially passive responding to environmental stimuli. The learner starts as a clean slate and behavior is shaped through positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement. Both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement increases the probability that the antecedent behavior will happen again. In contrast, punishment (both positive and negative) decreases the likelihood that the antecedent behavior will happen again. Positive indicates the application of a stimulus; negative indicates the withholding of a stimulus. Learning is therefore defined as a change in behavior in the learner.

In 20th century, with in some psychologists, behaviorist school of thought ran concurrently. Its main influences were Ivan Pavlov, who investigated classical conditioning, John B Watson (1878-1958) who rejected introspective methods and sought to restrict psychology to experimental laboratory methods, B.F. Skinner, sought to give ethical grounding to behaviorism.
 There are two types of learning theories
Classical conditioning: addresses learning of involuntary responses, for example when the sound of the bell alone stimulates saliva flow in dogs.
    Operant conditioning: addresses learning of voluntary responses.

Behavior is categorized between Antecedents and consequences. Antecedents are stimulus that comes before the behavior. Antecedent behavior or cues tell people what behavior will be reinforced and Discrimination is the use of cues, signals or information to know when behavior is likely to be reinforced-learning is largely a matter of mastering more and more complex discrimination.
Whereas consequences are stimulus that comes after a behavior, two main consequences include reinforcements and punishments. Reinforcements include positive and negative reinforcements, for example in positive reinforcement, a reward or something desirable is given. And in negative reinforcement, escapes or something undesirable is avoided.
Punishments include presentation and removal punishments, for example in presentation punishment, an undesirable stimulus is given and in removal punishment, a desirable is lost or removed.


References


Culatta, R. (2011 ). Behaviorist Learning Theory. Retrieved March 3, 2013, from Innovative Learning: http://www.innovativelearning.com/teaching/behaviorism.html
Slavin. (R.E (2003)). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice (7th Edition ed.).













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