The document discusses learning theories including behaviorism. Behaviorism defines learning as a change in behavior due to experience and conditioning. There are two types of conditioning - classical and operant. Classical conditioning involves linking a stimulus to a response, as shown in Pavlov's dog experiments. Operant conditioning occurs when a response is reinforced or punished, shaping behavior. Later theorists like Skinner expanded on operant conditioning principles through positive and negative reinforcement. While behaviorism provided a framework for understanding learning, it has also received criticism for disregarding internal mental processes.

1. What is Learning?
“Learning can be defined as a change in
an individual caused by experience.”
Experience
Intentional
Unintentional
Stimuli

2. Behaviorism
Definition
Behaviorism is a theory of animal and
human learning that only focuses on
objectively observable behaviors and
discounts mental activities.
Behavior theorists define learning as
nothing more than the acquisition of new
behavior.

3. Behaviorism
Conditioning
Experiments by behaviorists identify
conditioning as a universal learning
process. There are two different types of
conditioning, each yielding a different
behavioral pattern:

4. Behaviorism
Classical Conditioning
occurs when a natural reflex responds to a
stimulus. The most popular example is
Pavlov's observation that dogs salivate
when they eat or even see food.
Essentially, animals and people are
biologically "wired" so that a certain
stimulus will produce a specific response.

5. Pavlov & Classical
Conditioning

6. Pavlov: Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Response
Neutral Stimulus
Conditioned
Response

7. Pavlov: Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned
stimulus =
unconditioned
response
Unconditioned
stimulus +
Neutral stimulus =
unconditioned
response
Neutral stimulus =
No response
Conditioned
stimulus=
Conditioned
response

8. Thorndike: The Law of Effect
If an act is followed by a satisfying
change in the environment, the
likelihood that the act will be
repeated in similar situations
increases.
However, if the behavior is followed
by an unsatisfying change, the
chances of a repeat of behavior
decreases.

9. Thorndike: The Law of Effect
While Pavlov was concentrating on the
physiological responses of dogs in
harnesses, Thorndike (1911) was
studying the behavioural responses of
cats in puzzle boxes. Instead of
delivering food independently of
behaviour whenever a signal had been
presented, Thorndike delivered it once
his animals had responded.
He called this learning
“Trial and Error”

10. 2nd Type of Behaviorism
Operant Conditioning
occurs when a response to a stimulus is
reinforced.
Basically, operant conditioning is a simple
feedback system: If a reward or reinforcement
follows the response to a stimulus, then the
response becomes more probable in the
future.
For example, leading behaviorist B.F. Skinner
used reinforcement techniques to teach
pigeons to dance and bowl a ball in a mini-
alley.

11. Skinner: Operant Conditioning
They “operate” on the environment
without unconditioned stimuli (i.e. food)
Consequences Behavior

12. Skinner: Operant Conditioning
The “Air Crib”

13. Question
Can you think of unintentional operant
conditioning which you have
experienced or observed.
Remember that operant conditioning
results from linking a behavior to its
consequences.

14. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Role of Consequences
Reinforcers (a consequence that strengthens a
behavior)
Punishers (a consequence that weakens a
behavior)

15. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Reinforcers
Primary (satisfy basic human needs)
 Food,water,security,warmth,sex)
Secondary(acquire value based upon
association)
 Money, for example
Positive and Negative (escape an unpleasant
consequence)
Premack Principle (eat your veggies)
Intrinsic and Extrinsic (external rewards)

16. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Punishers
A punisher weakens behavior
Presentation
The use of unpleasant consequences
(aversive stimuli)
Removal
Time Out
Effects
Based upon immediacy of consequences

17. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Immediacy of Consequences
Immediate versus Delayed
Consequences
Connection between Behavior and
Consequence
Informational Value of Feedback

18. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Shaping
Reinforcing Approaching Final Behavior
Breaking Task into Parts
Uses in the Classroom

19. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Extinction
Extinction Burst
Consequences for Classroom
Management

20. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Schedules of Reinforcement
Fixed Ratio
Variable Ratio
Fixed Interval
Variable Interval

21. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Maintenance
Natural Reinforcers
Intrinsic Reinforcers
Resistance to Extinction

22. Principles of Operant
Conditioning:
Role of Antecedents
Cueing
Discrimination
Generalization
Techniques for Increasing
Generalization

23. Social Learning Theory:
Bandura
Modeling
Phases of Observational Learning
Vicarious Learning
Self-Regulated Learning

24. Strengths and Limitations of
Behavioral Learning Theories
Firmly Established Basic Principles
Limited Scope
Social Learning Theory as Bridge
between Behavioral and Cognitive
Theories

25. Behaviorism
There have been many criticisms of
behaviorism, including the following:
 Behaviorism does not account for all kinds of learning, since
it disregards the activities of the mind.
 Behaviorism does not explain some learning--such as the
recognition of new language patterns by young children--for
which there is no reinforcement mechanism.
 Research has shown that animals adapt their reinforced
patterns 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.

26. Behaviorism
How Behaviorism Impacts Learning
 This theory is relatively simple to understand because it relies only
on observable behavior and describes several universal laws of
behavior.
 Its positive and negative reinforcement techniques can be very
effective--both in animals, and in treatments for human disorders
such as autism and antisocial behavior.
 Behaviorism often is used by teachers, who reward or punish
student behaviors.