Download Functionalistic and Associationistic Theories

1
Functionalist theory is "also called functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent
and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. (Cliffnotes,n.d.) Functionalism defines that
society should operate as a unit, that each part had its individuals function. If everyone functioned
according to their role then everything should flow and things should remain in order. Functionalist
theory defines the working of an organism affects another. Olsen, 2009 states 'The primary goal of
the functionalist was to discover how mental and behavioral processes are related to an organism’s
adaptation to its environment. Functionalist theory can be defined by roles. Roles such as mothers
taking care of the home while Dad works, or a education system that is supported by tax dollars
teaching children of the communities that support them, a person fulfilling a position at a company
while the company pays its employees, and adults doing activities in turn for resources and those
resources being used to support the adults.
Associationistic theory studies the learning process in terms of the laws of association
(Olsen,2009). Associationism also relates to mental activity that has a connection to past events.
Associationistic learning theory states that we learn by association, we compare to help us
remember, we can pinpoint objects, places or things that can increase our learning, though the
learning can be slow though association, it can be consistent as opportunities arise that we can
associate with something that we already know. Associationistic insist on repetition and
reinforcement. If a alarm sounds then we goo it has to remain that way if we are to learn if the
order gets reversed then it can cause confusion. If we establish a rule and not reinforcement it, the
rule would be meaningless. Constant application of what is attempting to be established ensures
that the association is a success.
2







Skinner developed the scientific philosophy radical behaviorism
Skinner’s research was based on Operant Conditioning.
Skinner emphasized Reinforcement's controlled over behavior
Researched effects of positive and negative reinforcement, punishment, and
extinction
Researched shaping behavior how it reinforces behavior
Investigated partial reinforcement through reinforcers and response
Researched verbal behaviors, programmed and teaching machines
3







Pavlov’s major contribution was on classical conditioning
Contributed to the field of physiology (digestion)
Studied new discipline of higher neuron activity.
Studied verbal conditioning known as language acquisition
Researched psychopathology which deals with mental illness
Worked as skilled surgeon experimenting on dogs
Continued to influence concepts of modifiable behavior or learning
4






B.F. Skinner and Ivan Pavlov Theoretical Concepts
Psychologist contributed great things in psychology
Devoting time and energy to their research
Create theoretical and practical in medicine
Discovering in classical conditioning
Relationship in modern psychology
5





Motivational approach to self integration in personality
The modern empirical psychology learned
B.F. Skinner and Ivan Pavlov regulation behavior
Research of brain behavior and body functioning
The reflex experience in classical conditioning field
6





Developed a learning model known as operant
conditioning
Reinforcement
Punishment
Extinction
Schedule of Reinforcement
7






Developed a learning model known as Classical conditioning
Learned response to a specific stimulus
Unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned stimulus
Conditioned response
Unconditioned response
8

Skinner’s contribution to Education





Class Schedules and Marking periods
Syllabus to explain objectives
Report cards and progress reports
Appraisal reward from instructors
CBI or Online learning
9

Ivan Pavlov’s contribution to Advertisement and
Health
 Television Commercials and association learning
 Pairing of products with desired lifestyles
 Buying products believed to achieve those lifestyles
 Immune System Conditioning
 Current AID’s research
 Biofeedback
10
The contributions of Pavlov and Skinner paved the way for
many thoughts of behavior to be discovered, researched,
studied and treated. Classical and Operant conditioning is
based on conditioned and unconditioned responses, and how
organisms respond when presented with reinforcers. Skinner
and Pavlov also made contributions to other fields of
science, such as physiology, verbal behavior, and mental
illness. The work of Pavlov and Skinner has made a
difference in how we, we learn and how we react, what we
will respond to and what we won’t.
11
Cliffnotes (n.d.)Three Major Perspectives in Sociology, retrieved from
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/ThreeOlson, M.H. & Hergenhahn, B.R. (2009). An introduction to theories of learning (8th ed.)
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Parson, S. & Peterson, E. (2002) retrieved May 14, 2011, from http://faculty.frostburg.edu/
m. Bradley/psyography
12