Behaviorism Learning Theory Explained

Behaviorism is an educational learning theory that measures observable behavior and implements conditioning to help students acquire new behaviors. When repetitive conditioning is used in a learning environment it can help condition existing behaviors and encourage new ones.

Behaviorism Learning Theory Overview

The principles of behaviorism involve observing, reinforcing, and conditioning students. These principles are then used to affect the learning process.

What Is Behaviorism?

Behaviorism is a way of understanding behavior. It is the idea that learning involves acquiring new behaviors and knowledge by conditioning with both positive and negative reinforcement. This approach to educating allows teachers to observe student behavior and measure how environmental stimuli affect behavior modification.

What Is Behaviorism Learning Theory?

The behaviorism learning theory is a method educators can use to implement desired behaviors. With this theory of learning, teachers condition new behaviors by using positive and negative reinforcement.

Types of Behaviorist Theory

Behaviorism can be implemented in different ways. The two main ones are classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning involves modifying behavior by creating an association. It starts by pairing an unconditioned stimulus, something that elicits a response naturally, and an unconditioned response, often an undesirable behavior. A neutral stimulus is then introduced, such as a noise that an individual is indifferent to. After utilizing repetition, the neutral stimulus turns into a conditioned stimulus which triggers a conditioned response.

Classical Conditioning in the Classroom

In a classroom, classical conditioning could entail a teacher playing a celebration noise and giving students a sticker when they enter the classroom and sit down quietly. When students hear the noise and get the sticker it elicits a positive emotion, after repeating this combination of stimuli, teachers then remove the sticker from the incentive but keep the noise. At this point, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus. The result is that students hear the celebration noise and sit down quietly because they associate the conditioned stimulus with the conditioned response.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning uses positive reinforcement and negative punishment to strengthen good behavior and decrease bad behavior. Operant conditioning provides clear connections between actions and results to create a structured environment with clear expectations.

Operant Conditioning in the Classroom

An example of implementing operant conditioning would be a teacher giving extra assignments when there is disruptive behavior. Because students would connect extra assignments with being disruptive, the amount of undesirable behavior decreases.

On the other hand, a teacher might offer incentives for students to raise their hand in class. This encourages them to continue the positive behavior and keep asking questions.

History of Behaviorism Learning Theory

John B. Watson and Burrhus F. Skinner were two psychologists who developed the theory of behaviorism. These theorists emphasized the role environmental stimuli play in influencing and shaping human behaviors.

In 1913, Watson introduced the idea that behavior can be changed when it is observed and trained, coining the term behaviorism. Skinner introduced the connection between reinforcement and consequences and how they help learners acquire and maintain positive behavior

Many people have heard of physiologist Ivan Pavlov's dog experiment from the 1890s. He used classical conditioning by ringing a bell and then giving the dog food. With classic conditioning, the dog began to associate the bell with food and would salivate when the bell rang. This experiment showed how stimuli, such as the bell, can be associated with a conditioned response, such as the dog salivating.

How Does Behavioral Learning Theory Differ From Social Learning Theory?

The theory of behaviorism is the process of learning by interacting directly with the environment and receiving reinforcement or punishment. This differs from the social learning theory which integrates internal mental processes and observational learning.

The social learning theory, first introduced by Albert Bandura, is a cognitive process that involves learning by observing and imitating behavior. It highlights how actively observing model behaviors can help develop new skills and positive emotional reactions.

How Is Behaviorism Applied in the Classroom?

With the behavioral approach, learning environments provide a space for teachers to reinforce and promote desired behavior.

Reinforcement

In a classroom, teachers can offer reinforcement toward different behaviors. Positive reinforcement would be providing incentives to increase good behaviors. An example of this could be giving stickers to students who contribute to a class discussion.

Negative reinforcement involves consequences when students exhibit undesirable behavior. An example of this is a class losing recess time because they weren't listening to the lesson.

Repetition

Activities where students practice by using repetition can help teachers reinforce learning. This teaching method can include daily spelling practice where students write words from memory. By repeating this daily, students learn to retain the information.

Classroom Management

In a classroom, teachers can implement structure and routines. By setting clear rules, teachers can better manage student behavior. When students make associations between behavior and conditioned and unconditioned stimuli they can use cognitive processes to understand what outcome their actions will have. By using classical conditioning and operant conditioning, educators can develop behavior changes in the learning environment.