1. Kasey Tate & Sam Cocks EDUC2322, Flinders University
Behaviorism Theory
J.B. Wilson & B.F. Skinner
Kasey Tate & Sam Cocks EDUC2322, Flinders University
Introduction
Behaviorism can be described as a developmental theory that measures observable behaviours produced by a learner’s response to stimuli. It focuses on objectively observable behaviours, discounting inherited aspects of behaviour. Behaviorism was introduced by the American psychologist John B. Watson, who insisted that behavior is a physiological reaction to
environmental stimuli.
The theory of Behaviorism was established in 1913 with the publication of Watson's classic paper Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It. Watson was influenced by the work of Ivan Pavlov, who around the turn of the 20th centaury found that animals (and humans) can be trained to respond in a certain way to a particular stimulus. Pavlov developed an interested in studying reflexes when he saw that the dogs could be made to drool without the proper stimulus, ie food, by the ringing of a bell.
The behaviorist theory continued to develop with the work of B.F. Skinner who in the mid 1900’s developed the theory of operant conditioning.
His view was that behavior is impacted by consequences, and that reinforcement – either positive or negative will influence the probability of the behavior being repeated.
What view of children does this theory impose?
What are the Implications of this theory for educational practice?
It is argued that teachers are in need of a more comprehensive framework for understanding human behavior than the technique-based Behaviorism to which they are frequently exposed. Advances in our understanding of choice behavior and verbal behavior put us within reach of a comprehensive framework for making sense of the interconnectedness of social, self, and academic development. (Strand et.al, 2003)
There are many different strengths and weaknesses of using Behaviorism as a teaching strategy. A weakness is that many critics argue that Behaviorism is a one dimensional approach to teaching. It doesn’t take into account emotions, moods, thoughts and feelings.
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is a process of modifying behaviour where by a subject comes to respond in a desired manner. It is a method used in behavioural training in which a naturally occurring stimulus is paired with a response. Next, a previously neutral stimulus is paired with the naturally occurring stimulus. Eventually, the previously neutral stimulus comes to evoke the response without the presence of the naturally occurring stimulus. The two elements are then known as the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response. For example, Pavlov used this technique when he struck a bell when dogs were fed. If the bell was sounded in close association with their meal, the dogs learnt to associate the sound of the bell with food. After a while, at the mere sound of the bell, they responded by drooling.
The phrase "Pavlov's dog" is often used to describe someone who merely reacts to a situation rather than using critical thinking.. (See example in Figure 1)
Operant conditioning
Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behaviour. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behaviour and a consequence for that behaviour. Operant conditioning depends not only on the presence or absence of reinforcement but also on how the reinforcement is applied ( Slee,2002P.62)
One of the differences between Operant and Classical conditioning is that classical conditioning applies to reflexes while Operant conditioning applies to voluntary behaviours. (Slee,2002 P.56)
Figure 1 – The steps of Classical Conditioning- Pavlov's Dog
The views of this theory propose that as the environment is all important, children can be shaped and educated into anything, ie the environment will determine if they become doctors, lawyers or thieves (Slee, 2002). One of the assumptions in Skinners work is that the behavior of children can be predicted with a specific set of rewards and punishments. (Cyc-online, 2005)
Critiques
Some of the criticisms of Behaviorism are its inability to account for different kinds of learning since it ignores inherited accepts of behavior.
Behaviorism can not explain some aspects of learning such as imitation.
Classroom applications of Behaviorism.
Summary
The Behaviorism theory is reliability simple to understand as it relies upon several laws of behavior and focuses on objectively observable behaviours. Identifying two types of conditioning as a learning process. Classical conditioning is natural reflexes responding to a stimulus and operant conditioning is where the response is reinforced.
Stimulus type
Increase Behavior
(Reinforcement)
Decrease Behavior (Punishment)
Positive (introduces something into the environment)
Extra Recess Time
Clean up others’ areas
Negative (removes something from the environment)
Don’t have to clean up room
Lose recess
References
The above image refers to an example of Behaviorism in the classroom – operant conditioning whereby consequences are used to influence behavior. With Positive reinforcement the frequency of responses increases because it is followed by a consequence that students find rewarding, such as early recess time or not having to clean up for completing work on time.
Alternatively negative reinforcement implies the frequency of response increases because the student wants to avoid the consequence that is punishment, such as loosing recess time or having to clean up other’s areas for not completing work.
Figure 2- Classroom Application example
Atherton, J S 2011 Learning and Teaching; Behaviorism accessed 6 April
Cyc-Online, 2005 The International Child and Youth Care Network, Viewed 3 April
Slee, P T 2002 ‘Child, adolescent and family development’ Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom
Strand, et al, 2003 ‘Educating the Whole Child: Implications of Behaviorism as a Science of Meaning’, Journal of Behavioral Education, Vol.2, p85
John B. Watson
B.F Skinner
Ivan Pavlov
Essential Concepts of Behaviorism
The Behaviorism theory uses two different methods to achieve its outcome. These two different methods are classical conditioning and operant conditioning..