Behaviorism theory of learning

History and Key Concepts of Behavioral Psychology

Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning

based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning.
Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists
believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shape our actions.1

According to this school of thought, behavior can be studied in a systematic and

observable manner regardless of internal mental states.2 According to this
perspective, only observable behavior should be considered—cognitions,
emotions, and moods are far too subjective.

Strict behaviorists believed that any Behaviorism was formally established with
the 1913 publication of John B. Watson's classic paper, "Psychology as the
Behaviorist Views It."3 It is best summed up by the following quote from
Watson, who is often considered the "father" of behaviorism

Key concepts

Two Types of Conditioning

According to behavioral psychology, there are two major types of conditioning,
classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is a technique frequently used in behavioral training in

which a neutral stimulus is paired with a naturally occurring stimulus.
Eventually, the neutral stimulus comes to evoke the same response as the
naturally occurring stimulus, even without the naturally occurring stimulus
presenting itself.

Throughout the course of threedistinct phases, the associated stimulus becomes

known as the conditioned stimulus and the learned behavior is known as the
conditioned response.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a

method of learning that occurs through reinforcements and punishments.
Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a
consequence for that behavior.

When a desirable result follows an action, the behavior becomes more likely to
occur again in the future. Responses followed by adverse outcomes, on the other
hand, become less likely to happen again in the future.

Learning Through Association

The classical conditioning process works by developing an association between
an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.

In physiologist Ivan Pavlov's classic experiments, dogs associated the

presentation of food (something that naturally and automatically triggers a
salivation response) with the sound of a bell, at first, and then the sight of a lab
assistant's white coat. Eventually, the lab coat alone elicited a salivation
response from the dogs.

Influencers and Impact

Several thinkers influenced behavioral psychology. In addition to those already
mentioned, there are a number of prominent theorists and psychologists who left
an indelible mark on behavioral psychology. Among these are Edward
Thorndike, a pioneering psychologist who described the law of effect, and Clark
Hull, who proposed the drive theory of learning.11

There are a number of therapeutic techniques rooted in behavioral psychology.

Though behavioral psychology assumed more of a background position after
1950, its principles still remain important.

Even today, behavior analysis is often used as a therapeutic technique to help

children with autism and developmental delays acquire new skills. It frequently
involves processes such as shaping (rewarding closer approximations to the
desired behavior) and chaining (breaking a task down into smallerparts and then
teaching and chaining the subsequent steps together)

ROLE OF TEACHER
Instructor designs the learning environment. Instructor shapes child’s behaviour
by positive or negative reinforcement
Cognitivism
Cognitivism is a learning theory that focusses on how information is received,
organized, stored and retrieved by the mind. It uses the mind as an information
processer, like a computer. Therefore, cognitivism looks beyond observable
behaviour, viewing learning as internal mental processes. In this view, learners
are actively involved in the way they process information. Knowledge, memory,
thinking, and problem solving are areas for development.

History
Cognitivist theory developed as a reaction to Behaviorism and gained credence
in the 1950s. Cognitivists objected to behaviorists because they felt that
behaviorists thought learning was simply a reaction to a stimulus and ignored
the idea that thinking plays an important role. Although many researchers
contributed to the development of the learning theory (e.g. Bruner, Vygotsky,
Bloom, Ausubel), Piaget’s views had a tremendous impact. Spurred by the work
of Piaget (Constructivism), knowledge is viewed as symbolic mental constructs,
or schemata. When a learners' schemata are changed, learning takes place. As
neuroscientists continue to discover more about how the brain works, cognitive
psychologists and educators are concerned with how to use that knowledge in
the classroom.

Key principles and classroom implications

The main principles underpinning the cognitive learning theory are:

Learning is a process of organizing information into conceptualized models.

Instructions should be organized, sequenced and presented in a manner that
is understandable and meaningful to the learner.
Retention and recall is important to build schema’s in the brain.
Memory is supported by organizing learning material.
Teachers must provide tools that help learner’s brain process information.

ROLE OF TEACHER

Instructor manages problem solving and structured search activities, especially

with group learning strategies.

Constructivism

The constructivism in teaching-learning processes is primarily referred to when

individuals are engaged in constructing their own ideas, perspectives and
viewpoints. ... In the constructivist approach to learning, the students are well-
aware and formulate their goals and objectives on their own.

What are the characteristics of constructivism?

sensitivity toward and attentiveness to the learner's previous constructions;
diagnostic teaching attempting to remedy learner errors and misconceptions;
attention to metacognition and strategic self-regulation by learners;

Two major types of the constructivist learning perspectives are cognitive

constructivism and social constructivism. While Piaget (1973) developed the
cognitive constructivism view of learning, Vygotsky (1978) developed the
social constructivism view of learning.

Key tasks of a student learning in a constructivist classroom: Students must

learn to combine new information with their current knowledge. Reflect on their
own experiences and establish how they have been affected by them. ...
Students must be in control of what and how they learn.

Constructivism promotes social and communication skills by creating a

classroom environment that emphasizes collaboration and exchange of ideas.
Students must learn how to articulate their ideas clearly as well as to collaborate
on tasks effectively by sharing in group projects.

Which of the follow best describes the theory of constructivism? People

construct knowledge through their experiences and interactions with the
world. ... Knowledge can only be gained by going to school. We develop
knowledge by engaging with others and continually learning as we go.

ROLE OF TEACHER

Educators focus on making connections between facts and fostering new

understanding in students. Teachers also rely heavily on open-ended questions
and promote extensive dialogue among students.

Humanism
Humanistic teachers believe that knowledge and feelings go hand-in-hand in the
learning process. Cognitive and affective learning are both important to
humanistic learning. Lessons and activities should focus on the whole student
and their intellect and feelings, not one or the other. A safe learning
environment.

This theory and approach in education takes root in humanistic psychology,

with the key concepts focusing on the idea that children are good at the core and
that education should focus on rational ways to teach the “whole” child. This
theory states that the student is the authority on how they learn, and that all of
their needs should be met in order for them to learn well. For example, a student
who is hungry won’t have as much attention to give to learning. So schools
offer meals to students so that need is met, and they can focus on education. The
humanistic theory approach engages social skills, feelings, intellect, artistic
skills, practical skills, and more as part of their education. Self-esteem, goals,
and full autonomy are key learning elements in the humanistic learning theory.

The humanistic learning theory was developed by Abraham Maslow, Carl

Rogers, and James F. T. Bugental in the early 1900’s. Humanism was a
response to the common educational theories at the time, which were
behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Abraham Maslow is considered the father of
the movement, with Carl Rogers and James F.T. Bugental adding to the
psychology later down the line.

The principles of humanistic learning theory.

There are several important principles involved in the humanistic learning
theory that all lead to self-actualization. Self-actualization is when all your
needs are met, you’ve become the best you’ve can, and you are fulfilled. While
Maslow and the humanists don’t believe that most people reach self-
actualization, their belief is that we are always in search of it, and the closer we
are, the more we can learn.

Student choice. Choice is central to the humanistic learning theory and

humanistic psychology. Humanistic learning is student-centered, so students are
encouraged to take control over their education. They make choices that can
range from daily activities to future goals. Students areencouraged to focus on a
specific subject area of interest for a reasonable amount of time that they
choose. Teachers who utilize humanistic learning believe that it’s crucial for
students to find motivation and engagement in their learning, and that is more
likely to happen when students are choosing to learn about something that they
really want to know.

The role of teacher and student in humanistic learning theory.

In the humanistic learning theory, teachers and students have specific roles for
success. The overall role of a teacher is to be a facilitator and role model, not
necessarily to be the one doing the teacher. The role of the teacher includes:

Teach learning skills. Good teachers in humanistic learning theory focus on

helping students develop learning skills. Students are responsible for learning
choices, so helping them understand the best ways to learn is key to their
success.

ROLE OF TEACHERS
Facilitator and organiser to motivate pupils to use their own learning strategy to
achieve self- perfection.
Create non-threatening environment/ condition.