Learning Theories : Behaviorism

According to the learning theories propounded by the behaviorists learning is a mechanical process of associating the stimulus with response, which produces a new behavior. Such behavior is strengthened by the reinforcement.

 

Main proponents of this theory were J.B.Watson and I.Pavlov. Behaviorists view the learner as a passive person who responds to the stimuli. According to them the learner starts as tabula rasa ( which means clean slate) and the behavior is shaped by the reinforcement.

 

Positive as well as negative reinforcement increase the probability of the repetition of behavior. Whereas the punishment decreases the chances of repetition of the behavior. Learning is therefore defined as a change in the behavior of the learner.

 

Behaviorism as a "how" of education, not a "what"

 

 

Use of this theory:

The techniques of reinforcement and punishment have been employed by the teachers in the classrooms to promote desirable behavior and discourage unwanted behavior of the learners.

Strengths:
1. It can be used to formulate behavioral contracts in the school as well as at home.
2. It is helpful in bringing about behavior modification (desired outcome) with the help of reinforcement, punishment and extinction.
3. Cueing responses to behavior allows the learner to react in a predictable way under certain conditions.
4. Success of outcomes is easily measurable.
5. Guarantees specific learning.
6. Ease of application.

 

 

Weaknesses:

1. Some critics say that it is an extrapolation of animal behavior to humans.
2. Behaviorism fails to explain the development of human languages.
3. Effect of environment in shaping the behavior of a human, is not taken into account by the behaviorists.