Learning is an adaptive process in which the tendency to perform a particular behavior is changed by experience. Learning also refers to the relatively permanent change in knowledge or behavior that is the result of experience.

Behavioral Learning Theory

Behaviorism or the behavioral learning theory is a popular concept that focuses on how students learn. Behaviorism focuses on the idea that all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment.

The behaviorists believe that knowledge exists independently and outside people. They view the learner as a blank state who must be provided with the experience. They believe that learning actually occurs when new behaviors or changes in behavior are acquired through association between stimuli and response. This response leads to change in behavior. However, changes in behavior do not always reflect learning, learning may occur without obvious changes in behavior.

Behaviorism is an approach to psychology and learning that emphasizes observable measurable behavior. The behaviorist theory of animal and human learning focuses only on objectively observable behaviors and discounts mental activities.

Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shape our actions. According to this school of thought, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states. According to this perspective, only observable behavior should be considered, cognition, emotions, and moods are far too subjective.

An example of behaviorism is when teachers reward their class or certain students with a party or special treat at the end of the week for good behavior throughout the week. The same concept is used with punishments. The teacher can take away certain privileges if the student misbehaves.

Theorists in Behaviorist Theory

◇ Burrhus Frederic Skinner

Born on March 20th, 1904. He got his masters in psychology in 1930 and his doctorate in 1931, and stayed at Harvad to do research until 1936. For Skinner, it is the history of reinforcements that determines behavior. We learn to choose or avoid behaviors based on their consequences.

◇ Ivan Pavlov

During the 1890s, Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov was researching salivation in dogs in response to being fed. Pavlov and his studies of classical conditioning have become famous since his early work between 1890 and 1930.

◇ Johh B Watson

Behaviorism was formally established with the 1913 publication of John B. Watson's classic paper, "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views. It is best summed up by the following quote from Watson, who is often considered the "father" of behaviorism:

Key Concepts

Behavioral theory is majorly interested in learning. Human beings are seen as having multiple processes of acquiring behaviors. Two primary processes through which learning occurs are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning emphasizes learning that occurs on the basis of association. When a naturally satisfying stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus.

Operant conditioning, in contrast, stresses the importance of reinforcement rather than association of one stimulus with another. A newly learned behavior maybe called a conditioned response, reflex or habit. Behavior maybe motivated by a drive or need and is strengthened or weakened by reinforcement by a reward or punishment.

Behavior is learned through observation or modelling and is then shaped by internal cognitive processes prior to behavioral reproduction of the observed behaviors.

■ Conditioning

A process of training or preparation aimed at modifying a certain behavior.

■ Stimulus

Something that elicits or influences a physiological or psychological activity or response.

■ Response

An action exhibited in return to a stimulus.

■ Reinforcement

The process whereby a behavior with desirable consequences is strengthened.

■ Punishment

The process whereby a behavior with undesirable consequences is weakened.

■ Application

According to behavioral psychology, there are two major types of conditioning:

i). Classical conditioning and

ii). Operant conditioning.

♤ Operant Conditioning

According to Skinner learning is a process through which responses are controlled by consequences. The likelihood of a certain response occurring is either increased or reduced either by a reinforcement or a punishment response. A reinforcement helps to strengthen a certain behavior while a punishment weakens a certain behavior.

Skinner conducted his experiment on rats using a tool called a Skinner box. As the first step to his experiment, he placed a hungry rat inside the Skinner box. The rat was initially inactive inside the box, but gradually as it began to adapt to the environment of the box, it began to explore around. Eventually, the rat discovered a lever, upon pressing which; food was released inside the box. After it filled its hunger, it started exploring the box again, and after a while it pressed the lever for the second time as it grew hungry again. This phenomenon continued for the third, fourth and the fifth time, and after a while, the hungry rat immediately pressed the lever once it was placed in the box. Then the conditioning was deemed to be complete.

Here, the action of pressing the lever is an operant response/behavior, and the food released inside the chamber is the reward. The experiment is also known as Instrumental Conditioning Learning as the response is instrumental in getting food.

♤ Application of Operant Conditioning

The concept of Operant conditioning occurs in classroom management, shaping behavior, teaching of skills, therapies, animal taming etc.