Download learning from a behaviorist perspective

LEARNING FROM A BEHAVIORIST PERSPECTIVE
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
Classical conditioning is a simple form of learning in which one stimulus
creates a response that is usually called for by another stimulus. This occurs
when two stimuli have been associated with each other.
Procedure
Result
Classical
Before conditioning is begun, The neutral stimulus becomes a
Conditioning an unconditioned stimulus
conditioned stimulus (CS). The CS
(US) such as meat brings
(bell) brings forth the CR
forth an unconditioned
(salivation).
response (UR) such as
salivation. During
conditioning, a neutral
stimulus such as a bell is
paired with the
unconditioned stimulus (US).
Example
A child waits for her parents
After a few repetitions in which
to come home. She hears a
hearing the car is followed by her
car drive up (neutral
parents’ coming in, she becomes
stimulus). Then her parents
excited (CR) when she hears the
come inside (US). She
car drive up (CS).
becomes excited (UR) when
she sees her parents come in.
Related Concepts: Taste aversion, extinction, spontaneous recovery,
generalization, discrimination
Famous studies: Ivan Pavlov and his study of dogs and salivation; Watson and
Rayner’s study about “Little Albert”
OPERANT CONDITIONING
In operant conditioning, people and animals learn to do certain things—and
not to do others—because of the results of what they do. In other words,
they learn from the consequences of their actions.
Procedure
Result
Operant Conditioning
A behavior is followed
The behavior increases
by a consequence or
in frequency
reinforcement
Example
When a child cleans his The child cleans his
room, his parents read room more often, so as
him a story
to hear more stories
Related Concepts: primary and secondary reinforcers, positive and
negative reinforcers, punishment, schedules of reinforcement, extinction
Famous studies: B. F. Skinner and rats in a box
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
In social learning theory Albert Bandura (1977) states behavior is learned
from the environment through the process of observational
learning. Children observe the people around them behaving in various
ways. This is illustrated during the famous bobo doll experiment (Bandura,
1961).
Individuals that are observed are called models. In society children are
surrounded by many influential models, such as parents within the family,
characters on children’s TV, friends within their peer group and teachers at
school. Theses models provide examples of masculine and feminine
behavior to observe and imitate.
They pay attention to some of these people (models) and encode their
behavior. At a later time they may imitate (i.e. copy) the behavior they
have observed. They may do this regardless of whether the behavior is
‘gender appropriate’ or not but there are a number of processes that make
it more likely that a child will reproduce the behavior that its society deems
appropriate for its sex.