BEHAVIORAL LEARNING THEORIES

Question 1

– is a systematic integrated outlook in regard to the
nature of the process whereby people relate to
their environments in such a way as to enhance
their ability to use both themselves and their
environments in a most effective way.

Answer 1

LEARNING THEORY

Question 2

are conceptual frameworks that
describe the manner in which the information is
absorbed, processed and retained during learning.
Often, the same content is presented in different
ways. Learning theories provide a framework for
such learning solutions.

Answer 2

Learning Theories

Question 3

Traditional Learning Theories (3)

Answer 3

1. Behaviourism
2. Cognitivism
3. Constructivism

Question 4

concerned with what can be
seen happening

Answer 4

Behaviourism

Question 5

a theoretical framework for
understanding the mind; focuses on the inner
mental

Answer 5

Cognitivism

Question 6

constructing knowledge,
understanding are constructed by individual
learners and an understanding of the mental
processes involved

Answer 6

Constructivism

Question 7

one of the earliest proponents of
behaviourism

Answer 7

John Watson

Question 8

is based upon the simple notion of
a relationship between a stimulus and a
response, hence, _______ theories are often
referred to as ‘stimulus response’ (SR) theories.
(Example: “Practice makes perfect.”)

Answer 8

Behaviourism

Question 9

is a theory of learning focusing on
observable behaviours and discounting any mental
activity. Learning is defined simply as the
acquisition of new behavior.

Answer 9

Behaviourism

Question 10

Behaviourists called this (behaviorism) method of learning as

Answer 10

Conditioning

Question 11

–Behaviorism, also known as behavioral
psychology, is a theory of learning based on
the idea that all behaviors are acquired
through conditioning, and conditioning
occurs through interaction with the
environment. Behaviorists believe that our
actions are shaped by ______________

Answer 11

Environmental stimuli

Question 12

TWO TYPES OF CONDITIONING

Answer 12

1. Classical Conditioning (aka pavlovian / respondent)
2. Operant Conditioning

Question 13

a type of conditioning wherein two stimuli are linked
together to produce a new learned response in a
person or animal.

This involves the reinforcement of a natural reflex
or some other behavior which occurs as a response to
a particular stimulus.

Answer 13

Classical Conditioning

Question 14

is an action or movement of the body that happens
automatically as a reaction to something; something that you do without
thinking as a reaction to something; the natural ability to react quickly

Answer 14

natural reflex

Question 15

is the learned response
to the previously neutral stimulus.

Answer 15

conditioned response

Question 16

Classical conditioning (also known as Pavlovian or
respondent conditioning) is learning through
association and was discovered by _________, a russian psychologist

Answer 16

Ivan Pavlov (1902)

Question 17

– Pavlov found that for associations to be made, the
two stimuli had to be presented close together in
time. He called this the _________________
If the time between the conditioned stimulus
(bell) and unconditioned stimulus (food) is too
great, then learning will not occur.

Answer 17

law of temporal contiguity.

Question 18

FOUR STAGES OF CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING

Answer 18

1. Acquisition
2. Extinction
3. Generalisation
4. Discrimination

Question 19

• is the initial learning of the conditioned
  response

Answer 19

Acquisition Phase

Question 19

• is the initial learning of the conditioned
  response

Answer 19

Acquisition Phase

Question 20

Once learnt, a conditioned response will not
remain indefinitely.
__________ is used to describe the
disappearance of the conditioned response
brought about by repeatedly presenting the bell.

Answer 20

Extinction

Question 21

Once learnt, a conditioned response will not
remain indefinitely.
__________ is used to describe the
disappearance of the conditioned response
brought about by repeatedly presenting the bell.

Answer 21

Extinction

Question 22

after a conditioned response to one stimulus
has been learnt, it may also respond to similar
stimuli without further training
Ex. If the child is bitten by dog, the child may
fear not only that particular dog, but all dogs.

Answer 22

Generalisation

Question 23

• is the opposite of generalization.
• An individual learns to produce a
  conditioned response to one stimulus but not to
  another similar stimulus.

Answer 23

Discrimination

Question 23

• is the opposite of generalization.
• An individual learns to produce a
  conditioned response to one stimulus but not to
  another similar stimulus.

Answer 23

Discrimination

Question 24

• is the most important type of behaviourist
  learning
• more flexible in nature and seen as more
  powerful
• reinforcing a behavior by rewarding it
• the reward serves as a reinforcement
• or negatively, serving a punishment

Answer 24

OPERANT CONDITIONING

Question 25

The tidying behaviour increases because it is
rewarded. This rewarding is known as ______

It is likely that the tidying behavior would decrease
or stop completely if the rewards were suspended.

Answer 25

‘reinforcement.’

Question 26

The tidying behaviour increases because it is
rewarded. This rewarding is known as ______

It is likely that the tidying behavior would decrease
or stop completely if the rewards were suspended.

Answer 26

‘reinforcement.’

Question 27

a
psychologist working in America, 1930, known
for operant conditioning

Answer 27

Burrhus Frederic Skinner (B.F. Skinner),

Question 28

He studied the behavior of rats and pigeons.
– This theory is based upon the idea that learning is a
function of change in overt/clear behavior. Changes
in behavior are the result of an individual’s
response to events (stimuli) that occur in the
environment.

Answer 28

Burrhus Frederic Skinner (B.F. Skinner), OPERANT CONDITIONING

Question 29

anything that has the effect of
strengthening a particular behavior and makes it
likely that the behavior will happen again.

Answer 29

REINFORCEMENT

Question 30

Food, drink, simple approval, getting
attention, praise, etc.

Answer 30

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

Question 31

anger, frustration, a mother nagging her
child

Answer 31

nEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

Question 32

• Desired behavior is reinforced everytime it occurs
• Most effective when teaching a new behavior
• Creates a strong association between behavior and response

Answer 32

Continuous reinforcement

Question 33

• Most effective once a behavior has been established
• new behavior is less likely to disappear
• Various partial reinforcement schedules available to suit individual needs

Answer 33

Partial reinforcement

Question 34

written positive comments, stars, stamps, stickers,
giving of certificates, verbal and public praise, extra privileges,
etc.

Answer 34

rewards

Question 35

they see learning as a relatively permanent,
observable change in behavior as a result of
experience. This change is affected through a
process of reward and reinforcement but has little
regard for mental process or understanding.

Answer 35

Behaviourists

Question 36

Difference between Classical and Operational

Answer 36

Although a basic feature of operant conditioning is
reinforcement, classical conditioning relies more on
association between stimuli and responses. A second distinction is that
much of operant conditioning is based on voluntary behavior,
while classical conditioning often involves involuntary reflexive behavior

Classical - response and stimulus, involuntary behavior
Operational - rewards/ punishment, voluntary

Question 37

is first of all a theory of learning based on the idea that
knowledge is constructed by the knower based on mental activity.
Learners are considered to be active organisms seeking meaning.

is often associated with pedagogic approaches that
promote active learning, or learning by doing

Learning, therefore, is simply the process of adjusting our mental
models to accommodate new experiences.

learning takes place when new information is built and added onto an individual’s current structure of knowledge , understanding and skills.
We learn best when we actively construct our own understanding.

Answer 37

Constructivism

Question 38

suggests that humans construct knowledge
and meaning from their experiences.

Answer 38

CONSTRUCTIVIST THEORY

Question 39

Areas of learning (4)

Answer 39

Knowledge – learning factual information

Concepts – learn to understand new ideas

Skills – learning mental and physical skills

Attitudes – develop new attitudes to our
environment

Question 40

is often cited as the philosophical
founder of this approach. Bruner and Piaget are considered
the chief theorists among the cognitive constructivists,
while Vygotsky is the major theorist among the social
constructivists.

Answer 40

John Dewey (1933/1998)

Question 41

is widely recognized as the founding father of
Constructivism with his notion that learning is individually
constructed however others such as Vygotsky have played a
key role in making this student-centered and active learning
theory influencial today.

Answer 41

Piaget

Question 42

One of the most influential early proponents of
constructivist approach

developmental stage theory

Answer 42

Jean Piaget

Question 43

argues that people
produce knowledge and form meaning based upon
their experiences.

Answer 43

Piaget’s theory of constructivism

Question 44

“Learning is more than the acquisition of the ability to think; it is
the acquisition of many specialized abilities for thinking about a
variety of things.“

Answer 44

— Lev Vygotsky, Mind in Society, 1978

Question 45

“Learning is cognitive development through social interaction.”

Answer 45

Lev Vygotsky