BEHAVIORAL LEARNING THEORIES Flashcards
– 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.
LEARNING THEORY
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.
Learning Theories
Traditional Learning Theories (3)
- Behaviourism
- Cognitivism
- Constructivism
concerned with what can be
seen happening
Behaviourism
a theoretical framework for
understanding the mind; focuses on the inner
mental
Cognitivism
constructing knowledge,
understanding are constructed by individual
learners and an understanding of the mental
processes involved
Constructivism
one of the earliest proponents of
behaviourism
John Watson
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.”)
Behaviourism
is a theory of learning focusing on
observable behaviours and discounting any mental
activity. Learning is defined simply as the
acquisition of new behavior.
Behaviourism
Behaviourists called this (behaviorism) method of learning as
Conditioning
–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 ______________
Environmental stimuli
TWO TYPES OF CONDITIONING
- Classical Conditioning (aka pavlovian / respondent)
- Operant Conditioning
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.
Classical Conditioning
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
natural reflex
is the learned response
to the previously neutral stimulus.
conditioned response
Classical conditioning (also known as Pavlovian or
respondent conditioning) is learning through
association and was discovered by _________, a russian psychologist
Ivan Pavlov (1902)
– 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.
law of temporal contiguity.
FOUR STAGES OF CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
- Acquisition
- Extinction
- Generalisation
- Discrimination
- is the initial learning of the conditioned
response
Acquisition Phase
- is the initial learning of the conditioned
response
Acquisition Phase
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.
Extinction
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.
Extinction
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.
Generalisation
- is the opposite of generalization.
- An individual learns to produce a
conditioned response to one stimulus but not to
another similar stimulus.
Discrimination
- is the opposite of generalization.
- An individual learns to produce a
conditioned response to one stimulus but not to
another similar stimulus.
Discrimination
- 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
OPERANT CONDITIONING
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.
‘reinforcement.’
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.
‘reinforcement.’
a
psychologist working in America, 1930, known
for operant conditioning
Burrhus Frederic Skinner (B.F. Skinner),
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.
Burrhus Frederic Skinner (B.F. Skinner), OPERANT CONDITIONING
anything that has the effect of
strengthening a particular behavior and makes it
likely that the behavior will happen again.
REINFORCEMENT
Food, drink, simple approval, getting
attention, praise, etc.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
anger, frustration, a mother nagging her
child
nEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
- Desired behavior is reinforced everytime it occurs
- Most effective when teaching a new behavior
- Creates a strong association between behavior and response
Continuous reinforcement
- Most effective once a behavior has been established
- new behavior is less likely to disappear
- Various partial reinforcement schedules available to suit individual needs
Partial reinforcement
written positive comments, stars, stamps, stickers,
giving of certificates, verbal and public praise, extra privileges,
etc.
rewards
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.
Behaviourists
Difference between Classical and Operational
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
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.
Constructivism
suggests that humans construct knowledge
and meaning from their experiences.
CONSTRUCTIVIST THEORY
Areas of learning (4)
Knowledge – learning factual information
Concepts – learn to understand new ideas
Skills – learning mental and physical skills
Attitudes – develop new attitudes to our
environment
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.
John Dewey (1933/1998)
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.
Piaget
One of the most influential early proponents of
constructivist approach
developmental stage theory
Jean Piaget
argues that people
produce knowledge and form meaning based upon
their experiences.
Piaget’s theory of constructivism
“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.“
— Lev Vygotsky, Mind in Society, 1978
“Learning is cognitive development through social interaction.”
Lev Vygotsky
