INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORISM
Learning theory outlines the process through which humans acquire knowledge and experience a change in behavior throughout their lifespan. Bélanger (2011) posits the learning process as enigmatic and further states the learning process will continue to be a mystery to some extent.
Researchers over time have developed various learning theories to explain the learning process with unique insights into how individuals learn. Among the theories is Behaviorism. Behaviorism emphasis on how learning occurs through individual response driven by an external stimulus (Clark, 2018). In behaviorism, the learners react to the conditions of the environment as opposed to being active in discovering the environment (Ertmer & Newby, 2013).
KEY RESEARCHERS
American Psychologist
(1878-1958)
He was regarded as the founder of behaviorism (Watson, 2001)
He proposed psychologists should only study what is observable and avert from the study of consciousness or introspection because he believed our mental state and consciousness cannot be measured objectively.
His famous "Little Albert experiment (1920) demonstrated emotional responses like fear, could be conditioned through association.
Russian Physiologist
(1849-1936)
He pioneered the study of classical conditioning
His study posits that learning can be acquired through association between different stimuli.
His famous dog experiment was performed when he noticed that dogs salivate when food is presented to them. He then introduced bell sound paired with the presentation of food. After several trials, the bell elicited salivation regardless of whether food was presented or not (Clark, 2018)
American Psychologist
(1904-1990)
He established behaviorist theory of operant conditioning which is a type of learning that shapes behavior through reward and punishment.
According to (Clark, 2018), he experimented how behavior can be increased or decreased through reward or punishments with a rat and ‘Skinner box’. The skinner box has a lever which when accidentally pressed by the rat, releases food pellet. Through the intentional repetitive action accompanied by the food reward, the rat learned to press the lever to be fed.
American Psychologist
(1874-1949)
He studied how behavior is influenced by consequences
His focus was on the principles of law of effect which state that behavior strengthened by positive outcome will likely be repeated while behavior weakened by negative outcome will likely diminish (Damico & Ball, 2019).
RELATION TO TEACHING AND LEARNING
Behaviorism connects to teaching and learning by explaining how behavior is modified using rewards and punishment. William and Richard (1999) explained how behaviorism is associated with learning research through the influence of environmental stimuli to responses. Clark (2018) utilized the example of how learners rewarded for high grades in exams in hope to score high grades again in future exams justify the results of positive reinforcement. This explains how teachers can create structured lessons with clear objectives and implement the use of reinforcement to encourage positive outcomes.
IMPLICATIONS OF BEHAVIORISM FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
The influence of behaviorism for instructional design focuses on how stimulus and response shapes learners’ behavior this therefore enables instructional designers to set a clear objective in creating lessons with the simple and easy navigation of instructions and measurable outcomes
BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS
Benefits
It helps instructors to clearly define their course objectives
It assists in measuring observable behaviors using rubrics, quizzes, and tests
It encourages the use of reinforcement by utilizing grades and feedback.
The behaviorist idea of measurable learning is implemented using a learning management system (LMS) to track course progress and give feedback.
Another example of the strengths of behaviorism is that the correct design practice is reinforced in learning theory and design class through feedback, repetition, and ensuring students learn by doing and demonstrate observable skills (Ertmer & Newby, 2013).
Drawbacks
According to Clark (2019), behaviorism has little regard for mental processes or understanding; therefore, it overlooks the critical thinking and emotional factors in learning. Behaviorism assumes learners as passive responders (Clark 2019) and not active creators of knowledge. Lastly, Behaviorism may limit students' focus on compliance rather than on creating new ideas to make decisions.
REFERENCES
Paul Bélanger. (2011). Theories in Adult Learning and Education. Verlag Barbara Budrich.
Clark, K. R. (2018). Learning Theories: Behaviorism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 172–175.
Skinner, B. F. (1938). The behavior of organisms: an experimental analysis. Appleton-Century.
Damico, J. S., & Ball, M. J. (Eds.). (2019). The sage encyclopedia of human communication sciences and disorders. SAGE Publications, Incorporated.
William O’Donohue, & Richard Kitchener. (1999). Handbook of Behaviorism. Academic Press.
Watson, John Broadus. (2001). In B. Strickland (Ed.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology (2nd ed., pp. 662-663). Gale. https://link-gale com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/apps/doc/CX3406000656/GVRL?u=umd_umuc&sid=bookmark- GVRL&xid=250c7319
Ertmer, P. A., & newby, T. J. (2013). behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 26, 43-71. - references - scientific research publishing. (n.d.). https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=3086214