Behaviorism

The learning theory dominant in the first half of the 20th Century. Throughout the 1950s and 60s behaviorism remained influential, although since that time new theories have begun to make substantial inroads in general acceptance The learning theory dominant in the first half of the 20th Century. Throughout the 1950s and 60s behaviorism remained influential, although since that time new theories have begun to make substantial inroads in general acceptance

Behaviorism Learning that emphasizes observable, objective, measurable behavior (test scores) Discounts mental activities Learning is a more or less permanent change in behavior Learning that emphasizes observable, objective, measurable behavior (test scores) Discounts mental activities Learning is a more or less permanent change in behavior

Behaviorism The learner adapts to their environment Two famous experimentsTwo famous experiments –"Dog Salivation Experiment" by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov –"Skinner Box" experiment with pigeons by B.F. Skinner The learner adapts to their environment Two famous experimentsTwo famous experiments –"Dog Salivation Experiment" by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov –"Skinner Box" experiment with pigeons by B.F. Skinner

Key Players

John B. Watson: In 1913, Watson published "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It." Dubbed "Founder of Behaviorism" for view that psychology should be concerned only with the objective behavior In 1913, Watson published "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It." Dubbed "Founder of Behaviorism" for view that psychology should be concerned only with the objective behavior

B.F. Skinner: Skinner's approach was to create environments that resulted in new, learned behaviors

Key Features

 How does learning occur? Learning is a change in observable performance Behavior adapts to events and objectives Shaping:Shaping: a gradual strengthening of the relationship between cue and behavior Learning is a change in observable performance Behavior adapts to events and objectives Shaping:Shaping: a gradual strengthening of the relationship between cue and behavior

 What is the role of memory? Acquisition of habits: Practicing habits maintains a learner's readiness to respond Disuse results in "forgetting" Acquisition of habits: Practicing habits maintains a learner's readiness to respond Disuse results in "forgetting"

 How does transfer occur? When experiences are similar with recognizable features, the learner can transfer learning to new situations

What types of learning are best explained by this theory? Reinforcement by way of repetition instructional cues drill and practice Goal and objective oriented Learning that requires quick reaction with sure response Reinforcement by way of repetition instructional cues drill and practice Goal and objective oriented Learning that requires quick reaction with sure response

Relevant behaviorist elements Drill and practice software Flash cards Goals, objectives, benchmarks, STANDARDS have behaviorist components Rewards and punishments Feedback Drill and practice software Flash cards Goals, objectives, benchmarks, STANDARDS have behaviorist components Rewards and punishments Feedback

How should learning be evaluated? Evaluation should be based on a predetermined, standardized set of criteria Every learner should be evaluated based upon the same set of criteria Evaluation should be based on a predetermined, standardized set of criteria Every learner should be evaluated based upon the same set of criteria

Strengths of Behaviorism Clearly stated objectives allow the learner to focus Cueing responses allows the learner to react in a predictable way In a stressful situation like combat or flying a plane, cued responses can be a very valuable tool Clearly stated objectives allow the learner to focus Cueing responses allows the learner to react in a predictable way In a stressful situation like combat or flying a plane, cued responses can be a very valuable tool

Criticisms of Behaviorism Behaviorism is one dimensional and does not account for all kinds of learning, since it disregards the activities of the mind

Criticisms of Behaviorism The learner might find himself in a situation where he needs to respond, but the mental "cues" he has learned to respond to might not exist

Criticisms of Behaviorism Behaviorism does not explain some learning--such as the recognition of new language patterns by young children--for which there is no reinforcement mechanism

Criticisms of Behaviorism Animals adapt their habits to new information For instance, a rat can shift its behavior to respond to changes in the layout of a maze it had previously mastered through reinforcements Animals adapt their habits to new information For instance, a rat can shift its behavior to respond to changes in the layout of a maze it had previously mastered through reinforcements

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