Permanent change in the behaviour of a given actor is called learning. It means that behaviours are learnt and not inherited. Psychologically, there are various ways and means to bring this desired change in reality. In this article, I’m going to explain how behavioural learning theory is useful in aquiring new skills, shape behaviour, and solve problems.
Behavioural, cognitive, constructive, humanistic, social learning, experimental, multiple intelligence, connectivism, transformative situated learning, and many more learning theories we have been using to learn ever since the advent of modern education.
Understanding behavioural theory of learning
John B. Watson is considered the “father” of behaviorism. He asserted psychology should focus on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes. Classical conditioning was the direct outcome of his work.
Later on, his influence on other thinkers like B. F. Skinner paved the way for formation of oparant conditioning. Both classical and oparant conditioning explains how an actor acquires, changes and shapes behaviours by association, rewards and punishment.
What does conditioning mean?
Before to go deeper in Behavioural theory of learning, let’s begin with conditioning. It is a psychological theory that explains how people and animals learn to respond to stimuli by associating them with certain behaviour. Classical and oparant conditioning are the two types of conditioning. In order to learn conditioning, it is prerequisite to know the concepts like neutral stimuli, unconditioned response, conditioned response, and biologically potent stimuli.
Biologically potent or unconditioned stimuli
In the Pavlov’s experiment with dogs, food is called unconditioned or biologically potent stimuli. It is a type of stimuli that automatically triggers a response without prior learning. It is a type of automatic involuntary reaction to a stimuli that occurs naturally and doesn’t require prior learning.
Jumping at the sight of fearful animals, moving away after touching hot pan, salivating to a good taste etc. are the examples of unconditioned stimuli. It is also called as biologically potent stimuli or (BPS).
Conditioned or learnt response
A conditioned response is a learnt response to a previously neutral stimuli. Phobia of being stung by bees, fear of dog for person bitten by dog, fear of health care providers are the example of conditioned response.
Neutral stimuli
Earlier, In the Pavlov’s experiment with dogs, the sound of bell is neutral stimuli. But when we associate the sound of bell with tasty food or (BPS), the dog starts salivating. The salivating dog is called learned response or behaviour.
Explaining classical conditioning
Classical conditioning is also known as ‘Pavlovian conditioning’. Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, in his famous experiments with dogs demonstrated this principle, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1904. He was main proponent of classical conditioning.
In his research on dogs, he observed that they began to salivate in response to various stimuli associated with feeding, even before the food was presented.
Classical conditioning: definition, examples, and importance
Classical conditioning is a fundamental concept in psychology that explains how learning occurs through the association of stimuli. It was first introduced by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, in the early 20th century. Classical conditioning involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
It is an automatic learning. It creates a conditioned response through association between a neutral stimuli and unconditioned or biologically potent stimuli. In other words, classical conditioning is a type of automotive leaning in which a conditioned response is produced by associating neutral stimuli with unconditioned stimuli.
The neutral stimulus, which initially does not elicit any response, eventually triggers the same response as the meaningful stimulus. This process is known as acquisition.
Examples of Classical Conditioning
One classic example of classical conditioning is Pavlov’s experiment with dogs. He rang a bell (neutral stimulus) before presenting food (unconditioned stimulus) to the dogs. Over time, the dogs started salivating (conditioned response) at the sound of the bell alone, even without the presence of food.
Another example is the Little Albert experiment conducted by John B. Watson. He conditioned a young boy to fear a white rat by pairing the rat with a loud noise (unconditioned stimulus). Eventually, the boy developed a fear response (conditioned response) to the rat alone.
Importance of Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning plays a crucial role in understanding human and animal behavior. It helps explain how certain behaviours and emotions are learned and can be modified through conditioning techniques. Here are a few reasons why classical conditioning is important:
The predictive value
Predictive Value: Classical conditioning allows us to predict and anticipate certain events or outcomes based on previous experiences. For example, if a person has had a negative experience with a particular food, they may develop a conditioned aversion to it.
Therapeutic Applications
Therapeutic Applications: Classical conditioning techniques, such as systematic desensitization and aversion therapy, are widely used in therapeutic settings to treat phobias, addictions, and other behavioral disorders.
Marketing and Advertising
Marketing and Advertising: Companies often use classical conditioning principles in their advertising campaigns to create positive associations with their products or brands. For instance, associating a celebrity with a particular product can evoke positive emotions and influence consumer behavior.
Classical conditioning is a powerful learning mechanism that influences our behavior and emotions. By understanding how stimuli become associated, we can better comprehend why we react certain ways to specific situations. Whether it’s in the field of psychology, education, or marketing, classical conditioning continues to be a valuable concept that helps us understand and shape human behavior.
After classical, in the process of understanding the behavioural theory of learning, let’s begin with oparant conditioning.
Oparant conditioning: definition, examples, and importance
You do less if it is punished, but you do often if it is rewarded. Oparant conditioning is a learning method that employs rewards and punishment to alter the behaviour of persons or animals. Generally, we tend to avoid behaviour that we know will have negative consequences.
Father of oparant conditioning
B. F. Skinner is widely recognized as the father of operant conditioning for his work in this learning. He developed the principle of oparant conditioning and made it clear that how voluntary behaviors are affected by their consequences in the form of rewards and punishments.
As a behaviouralist, skinner believed that it was not really necessary to look at internal thoughts and motivation in order to explain behaviour. Instead, we should look only at the external, observable causes of human behaviours.
Watson suggested that he could take any person regardless of their background and train them to be anything he chose.
Understanding Operant conditioning: reinforcement and punishment
Operant conditioning is a fundamental concept in psychology that explores how behavior is influenced by consequences. Two types of consequences that play a significant role in shaping behavior are reinforcement and punishment.
It is a psychological concept that involves learning through consequences. It was first introduced by B.F. Skinner, a renowned psychologist, who believed that behavior is influenced by the consequences that follow it. Two important concepts in operant conditioning are reinforcement and punishment.
Reinforcement Vs punishment
Reinforcement is a process that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. It involves providing a positive consequence or removing a negative consequence after a behavior occurs. For example, if a student receives praise from their teacher for completing their homework on time, they are more likely to continue completing their homework in the future.
Punishment, on the other hand, is a process that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. It involves providing a negative consequence or removing a positive consequence after a behavior occurs. For example, if a child is scolded by their parent for misbehaving, they are less likely to engage in that misbehavior again.
Both reinforcement and punishment play crucial roles in shaping behavior. They can be used in various settings, such as schools, workplaces, and even in personal relationships. By understanding the concepts of reinforcement and punishment, individuals can effectively modify behavior and promote positive change.
Positive reinforcement and negative Reinforcement
1.Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement involves presenting a desirable stimulus immediately after a behavior occurs, with the goal of increasing the likelihood of that behavior recurring in the future. It is the addition of something pleasant or rewarding. For example, if a child completes their homework on time, they might receive a sticker or a small treat as a reward. The positive reinforcement of receiving a reward strengthens the behavior of completing homework on time.
2.Negative Reinforcement
Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive or unpleasant stimulus immediately after a behavior occurs, with the goal of increasing the likelihood of that behavior happening again. It is the removal of something unpleasant. For instance, if a person fastens their seatbelt, the annoying beeping sound in the car stops. The removal of the aversive sound serves as negative reinforcement, encouraging the person to fasten their seatbelt in the future.
Positive punishment and negative punishment
1.Positive Punishment
Positive punishment refers to the application of an aversive stimulus immediately after a behavior occurs, with the aim of decreasing the likelihood of that behavior happening again. It involves adding something unpleasant. An example of positive punishment is a student getting detention for misbehaving in class. The addition of detention serves as a punishment, discouraging the student from repeating the misbehavior.
2.Negative Punishment
Negative punishment involves the removal of a desirable stimulus immediately after a behavior occurs, with the objective of reducing the likelihood of that behavior recurring. It is the removal of something pleasant. For example, if a teenager breaks curfew, their parents might take away their phone privileges for a week. The removal of the desirable stimulus (phone privileges) acts as negative punishment, dissuading the teenager from breaking curfew again.
Examples of Reinforcement and Punishment
Let’s consider a few more examples to solidify our understanding:
1.A salesperson receives a bonus for exceeding their monthly sales target (positive reinforcement).
2.A student receives praise from their teacher for completing their assignments on time (positive reinforcement).
3.A driver receives a fine for speeding (positive punishment).
4.A child loses their TV privileges for not doing their chores (negative punishment).
Reinforcement and punishment are powerful tools in shaping behavior. They can be used in various settings, including education, parenting, and workplace environments. By understanding and utilizing these principles effectively, individuals can encourage desired behaviors and discourage unwanted behaviors.
The Importance of Reinforcement and Punishment
Reinforcement and punishment are essential in operant conditioning for several reasons:
Behavior Modification:
Reinforcement and punishment can be used to modify behavior and encourage desired actions while discouraging undesired ones. This is particularly useful in educational and professional settings.
Motivation:
Reinforcement can serve as a motivator, encouraging individuals to strive for success and achieve their goals. Punishment can act as a deterrent, preventing individuals from engaging in harmful or undesirable behaviors.
Consistency:
By consistently applying reinforcement and punishment, individuals can establish clear expectations and consequences for their actions. This promotes a sense of structure and accountability.
Last words on behavioural theory of learning,
Finally, by carefully studying both classical as well as oparant conditioning, we can strongly conclude that it is quite possibly to learn or modify existing behaviour by either association of neutral stimuli with biologically potent stimuli or by its consequences like rewards and punishment. Behavioural theory of learning is quite effective and instrumental in learning process. Cognitive domain of bloom’s taxonomy
https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-behavioral-learning-theory2005.html
https://www.phoenix.edu/articles/education/what-is-behaviorism-learning-theory.html