Download 621 01 Behaviorism - Educational Psychology

1/22/2011
Psychology of Learning:
Behaviorism
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Learning Goals
• Understand classical conditioning and its
relevance to learning
• Understand operant conditioning and its
relevance to learning
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Behaviorism Overview
• Behaviorism definition of learning: Relatively
permanent change in behavior as the result of
experience.
• There are two types of behaviorism:
1. Classical Conditioning: Association of
involuntary responses with new stimuli
2. Operant Conditioning: Voluntary behavior is
strengthened or weakened by punishment or
rewards
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
1
1/22/2011
Classical Conditioning
Before Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus (food)
Unconditioned Response
(salivation)
Neutral Stimulus (bell)
No Conditioned Response
(no salivation)
During Conditioning
Neutral Stimulus (bell)
+
Unconditioned Stimulus (food)
Unconditioned Response
(salivation)
After Conditioning
Conditioned Response
(salivation)
Conditioned Stimulus (bell)
Law of Association
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned:
Unlearned/Involuntary
Neutral:
Stimulus:
Response:
Event that activates
a behavior
Reaction to stimulus
Unconditioned
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Response
Neutral Stimulus
No natural association
Conditioned:
Learned by association
Conditioned
Stimulus
Conditioned
Response
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Classical Conditioning
• Unconditioned Stimulus: Stimulus that triggers
unconditioned response
• Unconditioned Response: Unlearned response to an
unconditioned stimulus
• Neutral Stimulus: Stimulus that does not naturally
elicit a response
• Conditional Stimulus: Neutral stimulus that comes to
evoke a classically conditioned response
• Conditioned Response: Learned response to a
classically conditioned stimulus
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
2
1/22/2011
Classical Conditioning
Before Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus
(sugar)
Unconditioned Response
(salivate)
Neutral Stimulus
(finger in cup)
No Conditioned Response
(no salivation)
During Conditioning
Neutral Stimulus (sugar)
+
Unconditioned Stimulus (finger)
Unconditioned Response
(salivate)
After Conditioning
Conditioned Response
(salivate)
Conditioned Stimulus
(finger in cup)
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Classical Conditioning
Before Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus
(harsh reprimands)
Unconditioned Response
(fear)
Neutral Stimulus (teacher)
No Conditioned Response
(no fear)
During Conditioning
Neutral Stimulus (teacher)
+
Unconditioned Stimulus (harsh reprimands)
Unconditioned Response
(fear)
After Conditioning
Conditioned Stimulus
(teacher)
Conditioned Response
(fear)
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Classical Conditioning and Attitudes
Before Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus
(Father)
Unconditioned Response
(Like)
Neutral Stimulus (TV show)
No Conditioned Response
(Neutral)
During Conditioning
Neutral Stimulus (TV show)
+
Unconditioned Stimulus (Father)
Unconditioned Response
(Like)
After Conditioning
Conditioned Stimulus
(TV Show)
Conditioned Response
(Like)
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
3
1/22/2011
Classical Conditioning
Before Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus
Unconditioned Response
Neutral Stimulus
No Conditioned Response
During Conditioning
Neutral Stimulus
+
Unconditioned Stimulus
Unconditioned Response
After Conditioning
Conditioned Stimulus
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Conditioned Response
Remember: The Response must be involuntary!
Classical Conditioning:
Educational Implications
• Pupil harassed at school
– Pupil feels bad when harassed
– Pupil associates being harassed and school
– Pupil feels bad when she thinks of school
• Student has caring instructor
–
–
–
–
Student feels good when with instructor
Student associates feeling good with the instructor
Student feels good when he thinks of the instructor
Student generalizes feeling good to school
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Classical Conditioning:
Educational Implications
• Classical Conditioning relates mostly to
learning emotional behavior
• After repeated associations, previously neutral
activities will become associated with emotions
(happy, sad, anxious, angry, etc.)
Based on their experiences with Christians and the
church, people will learn to associate certain emotions
with God that can help or hinder their walk of faith
•
We must treat others – particularly non-Christians – so that
they associate the fruits of the spirit with God
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
4
1/22/2011
Operant Conditioning
• Law of effect: Responses followed by positive
outcomes are repeated while those followed
by negative outcomes are not
• Operant Conditioning: Learn to behave in
ways that result in reinforcement
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Response
Stimulus
Positive:
Presentation
Negative:
Removal
Reinforcement:
Punishment:
Repeat Behavior
Behavior Ends
Positive
Reinforcement
Positive
Punishment
Negative
Reinforcement
Negative
Punishment
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Behavior
Response
Type
Good grade
Positive
Reinforcement
Homework
Not sweep
compound
Negative
Reinforcement
Disrespect
Teacher
Sent to
headmaster
Positive
Punishment
Cheat on
homework
No break-time
Negative
Punishment
Study
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
5
1/22/2011
Operant Conditioning Scenario
• Rachel gets an award at the memory verse contest, so
she continues to memorize bible verses.
• Benedict has a new girlfriend. However, none of his
friends like the new girlfriend, so they always ignore
him when she is around. Eventually, Benedict breaks up
with the girl.
• At JETS, the lecturer says that if you work hard on your
other assignments, you will not have to take the exam.
• Martha enters a church with lively dancing and singing.
Martha does not dance during the singing, but the
people around her glare at her so she starts to dance.
Operant Conditioning
• Reinforcement: Increase likelihood of response
– Positive Reinforcement: Strengthens response by presenting a
pleasant stimulus
– Negative Reinforcement: Strengthens a response by removing an
unpleasant stimulus
• Punishment: Decrease likelihood of response
– Positive Punishment: Weakens a response through presentation of
unpleasant stimulus
– Negative Punishment: Weakens a response through removing a
pleasant stimulus
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Reinforcement
• Positive Reinforcement
– Premack Principle: More desired activity is a
positive reinforcer for a less desired activity
• Observe students to determine most effective
reinforcer
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
6
1/22/2011
Punishment
• Negative Punishment
– Extinction: Ignore the inappropriate behavior by a
child
– Time Out: Remove a student from a reinforcing
environment
• Remove all reinforcement
• Consistently maintain
• Short (1 minute per year of child)
– Response Cost: Remove previously earned
rewards
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Punishment
• Advantages
– When used carefully and rarely, punishment
provides information about inappropriate
behaviors
• Disadvantages
– Obedience is not permanent
– May classically condition negative emotions
– Long history may lead to psychological harm
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
• Strengths
– Effective for short-term behavior modification
– Straight-forward and easy to implement
• Criticisms
– Does not address cognitive processes
– Behavior ends when reinforcement ends
– May hinder intrinsic motivation
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
7