Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Behaviorist Learning Theory

    Uploaded by

    Badine De Leon
    116 views2 pages
    The behaviorist learning theory posits that behavior is determined by environmental stimuli and consequences. Proponents like Ivan Pavlov, Edward Thorndike, and B.F. Skinner conducted experiments to demonstrate learning through classical conditioning, where stimuli become associated with responses, and operant conditioning, where consequences reinforce or weaken behaviors. Their work established foundations for understanding learning through external stimuli and rewards or punishments.

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    BEHAVIORIST LEARNING THEORY.docx

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    The behaviorist learning theory posits that behavior is determined by environmental stimuli and consequences. Proponents like Ivan Pavlov, Edward Thorndike, and B.F. Skinner conducted experiments to demonstrate learning through classical conditioning, where stimuli become associated with responses, and operant conditioning, where consequences reinforce or weaken behaviors. Their work established foundations for understanding learning through external stimuli and rewards or punishments.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    116 views2 pages

    Behaviorist Learning Theory

    Uploaded by

    Badine De Leon
    The behaviorist learning theory posits that behavior is determined by environmental stimuli and consequences. Proponents like Ivan Pavlov, Edward Thorndike, and B.F. Skinner conducted experiments to demonstrate learning through classical conditioning, where stimuli become associated with responses, and operant conditioning, where consequences reinforce or weaken behaviors. Their work established foundations for understanding learning through external stimuli and rewards or punishments.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    BEHAVIORIST LEARNING THEORY

    Behaviorist Learning Theory


     Main tenet is that all behavior is caused by a corresponding external stimulus
     Behavior is determined by the environment through either association or
    reinforcement.

    Proponents of the Behaviorist Learning Theory


     Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
     Edward Thorndike
     B.F. Skinner (1904-1990)

    Ivan Pavlov and his Classical Conditioning


     Classical Conditioning occurs when a naturally occurring stimulus is associated
    with another environmental stimulus.
     In this case, the response to the naturally occurring stimulus is carried over to the
    associated stimulus.
     The best example for this is Pavlov’s experiments with dogs.
     Pavlov’s experiment with dogs taught them to associate the ringing of the bell with
    the arrival of food.
     Pavlov’s work would later on be very influential for other psychologists like B.F.
    Skinner.
     His contribution to the educational system can best be seen in the rewards and
    punishment systems found in classrooms all over the world.

    Edward Thorndike and His Law of Effect


     Edward Thorndike’s experiments with a cat in a puzzle box led him to conclude
    that learning can be explained by the principle of Law of Effect.
     Simply put, it means that when a response to a stimulus produces a satisfying
    effect, the association between the response and the stimulus is strengthened.
    Thorndike’s Law of Effect
     In the Law of Effect, a learner on his first day of kindergarten might try different
    approaches of getting his teacher’s attention.
     The learner, by trial and error, learns which methods earn a positive response from
    the teacher and which get a negative response.
    Criticisms against the Law of Effect
     include its mechanistic point of view. However, one has to take into account that
    Thorndike’s experiments first made use of cats.
     Another is that Thorndike’s explanation of behavior as a series of trial and error
    does not give importance to the learning and thinking process of a learner.

    Skinner’s Operant Conditioning


     Maintains that behavior is not dependent on the preceding stimulus. Rather it is
    dependent on the consequence to the response to the stimulus.
     In the Pavlovian case, this would mean that the dog’s behavior could actually be
    explained better by the food presented to them.
     Skinner introduced the term reinforcement to refer to consequences that would
    either strengthen or weaken a certain behavior.
     He gave four kinds of consequences: Positive Reinforcement, Negative
    Reinforcement, Punishment and Extinction.
    Positive Reinforcement
     Encouraging a behavior through positive consequences. Ex. Candy as prizes for
    reciting
    Negative Reinforcement
     Removing a negative stimulus as reward for certain behavior. Ex. No homework if
    everybody perfects the quiz.
    Punishment Discouraging
     behavior through negative consequences. Ex. Peeling potatoes or weeding for
    tardiness.
    Extinction Discouraging
     behavior through removal of positive stimulus. Ex. No treats for unfinished work.

    Contentions for Skinner’s Learning theory include his disregard for any introspective
    analysis. Skinner however explained that it is much easier to study, observe and analyze
    tangible, external behavior than the internal, mental workings of a person.

    Summary
     Behaviorist Learning Theory focuses on external, tangible behavior as the
    object of their study. It explains behavior as a stimulus- response dynamism.
     Ivan Pavlov first showed how behavior can be manipulated through Classical
    Conditioning wherein association is formed between a naturally occurring
    stimulus-response and a neutral one.
     Edward Thorndike introduced the Law of Effect principle to explain how a
    certain behavior is strengthened or weakened.
     B.F. Skinner refined Pavlov’s and Thorndike’s ideas by introducing the term
    Reinforcement and by focusing more on the consequences of behavior rather
    than on preceding stimuli as motivation.

    You might also like