FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY

San Francisco St. Butuan City 8600, Region XIII

Caraga, Philippines

NURSING PROGRAM

RESOURCE MANUAL
NAME: Gella Alyssa B. Sinangote
ACTIVITY: Lecture Demonstration
TOPIC: Learning Theories; Stimulus response

I. INTRODUCTION TO THEORY

What is a theory? Theories are a Formal set of ideas intended to explain why
something happens/ exists. It helps to justify why we do what we do. Theories are
vital as they guide and give meaning to what we see. When a researcher investigates
and collects information through observation, the investigator needs a clear idea of
what information is important to collect. Thus, valid theories are validated by research
and are a sound basis for practical action. Nursing theories help guide and define
nursing care and provide foundation for clinical decision making. That is why it is
important for future healthcare workers to study and understand theories

II. IVAN PAVLOV’s Classical Conditioning Theory

Ivan Pavlov founded the theory of Classical conditioning. Pavlov is a Russian

Soviet experimental neurologist and physiologist who used to study dog’s digestive processes.
One day he got curious with the dog’s reaction towards food, he observed that the dog
salivates when it’s feeder is present even without the presence of food. Is it because the dog
sees the man as a food? Because of that he decided to observe and experiment with the dog’s
response. He experimented with a dog using a conditioning method. A conditioning stimulus
is applied in order to yield the same response with the unconditioned stimulus.

Formula:

● Food (unconditioned stimulus) = Salivation (Unconditioned response)

● Bell (neutral stimulus) initially does not results to salivation
● Bell (Conditioned stimulus) = Salivation (Conditioned Response)

II. EDWARD THORNDIKE’s Stimulus Response Theory.

Edward Thorndike is an American psychologist who was interested in an animal’s

way of learning. While Pavlov used dogs in his experiments, Thorndike utilized a cat and was
able to come up with three laws of learning which are the Law of Effects, Law of Exercise
and Law of Readiness. Thorndike proposed the effect determines the possibility of repetition
of action. If the person is satisfied with the effects, given the same situation the person will
most likely repeat the action performed previously. Thorndike also proposed the law of
Exercise. He suggested that with repetitive practice of activity, the person would gain more
knowledge and efficiency towards the said activity. Practice also significantly decreases the
time the activity will be done. Lastly is the Law of readiness which Thorndike explains that a
person who is not ready to learn will not be able to learn given any circumstances.
 FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY
San Francisco St. Butuan City 8600, Region XIII
Caraga, Philippines

NURSING PROGRAM

III. BURRHUS FREDERIC SKINNER’s Operant conditioning Theory

Another theorist, B.F Skinner, founded the theory of Operant Conditioning.

Skinner was considered as the father of behaviourism and saw human action as dependent on
consequences of previous action. If the consequences to an action are bad, there is a high
chance the action will not be repeated; if the consequences are good, the probability of the
action being repeated becomes stronger. He also proposed the use of Punishment and
Reinforcement in his theory.

Skinner proposed that in order to elicit a desired behaviour one must utilize positive
or negative reinforcement and or positive or negative punishment.

Formulation : Action + Positive Reinforcement = Action is doubled

Action + Negative Reinforcement = Action is doubled
Action + Positive Punishment = Action is decreased
Action + Negative Punishment = Action is decreased

IV. REFERENCE
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED491769#:~:text=Theories%20are%20vital%3A%20They%20guide,
sound%20basis%20for%20practical%20action
https://www.wgu.edu/blog/understanding-nursing-theories2109.html
https://www.verywellmind.com/classical-conditioning-2794859
https://www.structural-learning.com/post/skinners-theories
http://www.edugyan.in/2017/03/edward-lee-thorndike-theory-of-learning.html