Theories of Learning
There are 5 Theories of Learning as illustrated in the below....
1) Behavioural Learning Theory
BF Skinner developed this theory. He believed that learning is mostly by behaviour change or modification of an individual. The individual behaviour is shaped or modified through his environment with the help of reinforcement (positive or negative reinforcement) but his brain activity remain without any change. Where the individual will give response when there is a stimulus. Therefore in this theory leaning process is focus on the stimulus and the response, and leaning is evidence by the behaviour change.
General Assumptions of Behaviorist Theories
- Principles of learning apply equally to different behaviors and to different species of animals. (Equipotentiality)
- Learning processes can be studied most objectively when the focus of study is on stimuli and responses.
- Internal cognitive processes are largely excluded from scientific study.
- Learning involves a behavior change.
- Organisms are born as blank slates.
- Learning is largely the result of environmental events.
- The most useful theories tend to be parsimonious ones.
In this theory there are 3 types of learning
1) - Classical conditioning - addresses learning of involuntary response. For example; when the rings the sound alone stimulates the saliva flow in dogs. (Picture 2 & 3)
2) - Operant conditioning - addresses learning of voluntary response (Picture 4)
3) - Contiguity leaning - addresses learning of reinforcing stimuli (involuntary behaviour elicits)
Picture 2: Classical Conditioning before conditioning
Picture 3: Classical Conditioning during conditioning
Picture 4: Operant conditioning
There are 4 consequences that alter the behaviour of an individual. The table below represents the 4 consequences with examples.
Table 1: 4 consequences with examples
Consequences
1) Reinforcement - a consequence that follows an operant response that increase (or attempts to increase) the likelihood of that response occurring in the future. There are 2 types of reinforcement;
a) Positive Reinforcement - where rewards or something desirable is received to the individual after the behaviour occurs. For example, when a student complete home work well the teacher used to give a star for the student, it will increase the students motivation towards the subject and will continue to get more stars in the future.
b) Negative Reinforcement - where "Removed" or something undesirable is avoided after a behaviour occurs. For example, when the student is not done his home work, can keep the student after class until he completes his home work. So the student will never repeat the same thing and his behaviour will be corrected.
Picture 5: Positive and Negative Reinforcement
2) Punishment - any change that occurs after a behavior that reduces the likelihood that that behavior will occur again in the future. While positive and negative reinforcement are used to increase behaviors, punishment is focused on reducing or eliminating unwanted behaviors. According to Skinner (1974) there are 2 types of punishment
a) Positive Punishment - This type of punishment is also known as "punishment by application." Positive punishment involves presenting an aversive stimulus after a behavior as occurred. For example, when a student talks out of turn in the middle of class, the teacher might scold the child for interrupting her.
b) Negative Punishment - This type of punishment is also known as "punishment by removal." Negative punishment involves taking away a desirable stimulus after a behavior as occurred. For example, when the student from the previous example talks out of turn again, the teacher promptly tells the child that he will have to miss recess because of his behavior.
Picture 6: Positive & Negative Punishment, Positive & Negative Reinforcement
Conclusion
The Behavioural learning theory is learning based only on behavioural change of an individual. The behaviour changing occurs within the environment of an individual. In this theory behaviorists do not measure understanding of the individual, because the brain activity of individual will remain without any change. The behaviorists agreed that the learning of behaviour occurs in a series of stimuli and response. Where the Classical Conditioning Theorists believe that a stimulus should be introduced first, then it should be followed by a response. This can be repeated to achieve the desired behviour from an individual. However, the Operant Conditional Theorists believe that a desired behaviour can be achieved by using reinforcers.
Therefore, I would like to mention that Operant Conditioning is more likely to applicable to change the behaviour of individual or the a group and Classical Condition is too basic. So teachers can often use these techniques during the classroom in order to motivate students and change their behviour accordingly. We can also observe the reinforcing motivation of the classroom rewards and grades.
Be a student Centered teacher - Keep up the Good Work
Skinner, B. F. (1974). About Behaviorism. New York: Knopf.
