BEHAVIORISM

BEHA

PRESENTATION

PRESENTAT

FOR ENGLISH DIDACTICS I.

FOR ENGLISH DIDACTICS

Contents:

Co

1. Introduction

Introdu

2. What is Behaviorism?

What is

3. What is Classical Conditioning?

What is Classical Condition

4. What is Operant Conditioning?

What is

5. What is Observational Learning?

What is Observational

6. Roots of Behaviorism – Major Characters

Roots of Behavio

(Pavlov, Thorndike, Watson, Skinner)

(Pavlov, Thorndike,

7. Criticism of Behaviorism

Criticism of Beh

8. Conclusion
9. Bibliography & Web links

Bibliography & Web lin

1. Introduction

1. Introduct

What is Learning?

What is Lea

 Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior that is the

is a relatively permanent change in behavior that i

result of experience.

result of experi

 During the first half of the twentieth century, the school of thought

During the first half of the twentieth century, the school

known as

known as behaviorism rose to dominate psychology and sought

rose to dominate psychol

to explain the learning process.

 The three major types of learning described by behavioral

The three major types of learning described by behavioral

psychology are:

psychology ar

classical conditioning

classical conditionin

operant conditioning

operant condition

observational learning

observational learnin

 Rationalists

Rationa

- humans have an innate capacity for

- humans have an innate capacity for

the development of language, and that we are

the development of language, and that we a

genetically programmed to develop out linguistic

genetically programmed to develop out linguis

systems in certain ways.

systems in certain way

 Empiricists

Empiric

- the learner’s experience is largely

- the learner’s experience is large

responsible for language learning. Language

responsible for language learning. Lang

learning is seen as the result of external forces

learning is seen as the result of external force

acting on the organism rather than the programmed

acting on the organism rather than the programm

unfolding of language through internal biological

unfolding of language through internal biologica

mechanisms.

mechanism

BEHAVIORISM

BEHAVIOR

is the chief empiricist theory of learning.

is the chief empiricist theory of learnin

2. What ist Behaviorism?

DEFINITION

DEFINIT
 Behaviorism

Behavior

is an approach in psychology which

is an approach in psychology whic

attempts to explain all behaviour

attempts to explain all behaviou in terms of

in term

learning. This reductionist approach largely

learning. This reductionist approach lar

focuses on overt behaviour and ignores internal

focuses on overt behaviour and ignores inte

mechanisms such as cognitions (e.g. thoughts).

mechanisms such as cognitions (e.g. though

 Behaviorism

Behavior

is a theory of animal and human

is a theory of animal and hum

learning that only focuses on objectively

learning that only focuses on objective

observable behaviors and discounts mental

observable behaviors and discounts m

activities. Behavior theorists define learning as

activities. Behavior theorists define learning a

nothing more than the acquisition of new

nothing more than the acquisition of ne

behavior.

behav

3. Classical Conditioning

3. Classical Condit

What is Classical Conditioning?

 Classical conditioning is a learning process in which an

Classical conditioning is a learning process in which a

association is made between a previously neutral

association is made between a previously neutr

stimulus and a stimulus that naturally evokes a response.

stimulus and a stimulus that naturally evokes a respo

Classic conditioning

Classic conditioni

occurs when a natural reflex

occurs when a natural ref

responds to a stimulus.

responds to a stim

 The most popular example is

The most popular example

Pavlov's observation

Pavlov's observa

that

dogs salivate when they eat or even see food.

dogs salivate when they eat or even see

Essentially, animals and people are biologically "wired"

Essentially, animals and people are biologically "w

so that a certain stimulus will produce a specific

so that a certain stimulus will produce a speci

response. In Pavlov’s classic experiment, the smell of

response. In Pavlov’s classic experiment, the sm

food was the naturally occurring stimulus that was paired

food was the naturally occurring stimulus that was pa

with the previously neutral ringing of the bell. Once an

with the previously neutral ringing of the bell. Onc

association had been made between the two, the sound

association had been made between the two, the s

of the bell alone could lead to a response.

of the bell alone could lead to a respon

4. Operant Conditioning

4. Operant C

What is Operant Conditioning?

What is Operant Conditi
 Behavioral

Behavi

or operant conditioning

operant condition

is a learning process

is a learning process

in which the probability of response is increased or

in which the probability of response is increased

decreased due to reinforcement or punishment.

decreased due to reinforcement or punishment.

So, operant conditioning occurs when a

So, operant conditioning occurs when

response to a

response to

stimulus is reinforced.

stimulus is reinforced

 First studied by Edward Thorndike and later by

First studied by Edward Thorndike and later by

B.F. Skinner, the underlying idea behind operant

B.F. Skinner, the underlying idea behind

conditioning is that the

conditioning is that

consequences of our actions

consequences of our action

shape voluntary behavior.

shape voluntary behavi

 Basically, operant conditioning is a simple feedback

Basically, operant conditioning is a simple feedback

system: if a reward or reinforcement follows the response

system: if a reward or reinforcement follows the respons

to a stimulus, then the response becomes more probable in

to a stimulus, then the response becomes more

the future.

the

5. Observational Learning

5. Observational Lear

What is Observational Learning?

 Observational learning is a process in which

Observational learning is a process in whic

learning occurs

learning occur through observing and imitating

through observing and imitating

others

other .

 As demonstrated in

As demonstrate

Albert Bandura’s

Albert Bandura classic

class

“Bobo Doll”

“Bobo D

experiments, people will imitate

experiments, people will imitate

the actions of others without direct reinforcement.

the actions of others without direct reinforcem

 Four important elements are essential for effective

Four important elements are essential for effec

observational learning:

observational learning attention, motor skills,

attention, motor sk

motivation

motiv

, and

, a

memory

me

.

6. Important People

6. Import

The following are some of the major figures

associated with learning and the behavioral
school of psychology.



Ivan Pavlov



Edward Thorndike



John Watson



B.F. Skinner

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov

Ivan Petrovich P

 In 1904, he was awarded the

In 1904, he was awarded th

Nobel Prize in physiology for his

Nobel Prize in physiology for h

work on digestion, and in 1921,

work on digestion, and in 192

he received the Hero of the

he received the Hero of the

Revolution Award from Lenin

Revolution Award from Lenin

himself.

him

* 1849

* 184

 1936

1

 Most famous of the Russain researchers

Most fam

 It was in 1900 that he began studying reflexes,

It was in 1900 that he began

especially the salivary response.

Pavlovian (or classical) conditioning

Pavlovian (or classical) conditioni

 We begin with an

We begin with a unconditioned stimulus

unconditioned stim

and an

and an

unconditioned response

unconditioned respons -- a reflex!

-- a reflex

 We then associate a

We then associa

neutral stimulus

neutral stimulu with the

with th

reflex by presenting it with the unconditioned

reflex by presenting it with the unconditio

stimulus.

stimulus

 Over a number of repetitions, the neutral stimulus by

Over a number of repetitions, the neutral stimulus by

itself will elicit the response!

itself will elicit the respo

 At this point, the neutral stimulus is renamed the

At this point, the neutral stimulus is renamed th

conditioned stimulus

conditioned stim

, and the response is called

, and the response is ca

the conditioned response

conditioned respons .

The first and the second signal system

The first and the second signal

The first signal system

first si

is where the

conditioned stimulus (a bell) acts as a
“signal” that an important event is to occur

“signal” that an import

-- i.e. the unconditioned stimulus (the

-- i.e. t

meat).

The second signal system

second sig

is when

arbitrary symbols come to stand for stimuli,
as they do in human language.

Edward Lee Thorndike

Edward Lee Thor

The learning theory of Thorndike

The learning theory of Thorndike

represents the original

represents the origin

S-R framework

S-R framew

of behavioral psychology

of behavioral psycholo

:

Learning is the result of associations

Learning is the result of associations

forming between

forming betw

stimuli and responses

stimuli and respon

.

Such associations or "habits" become

Such associations or "habits" becom

strengthened or weakened by the

strengthened or weakened by th

nature and frequency

nature and frequen
of the S-R pairings.

of the S-R pairing

*1874

*187  1949

1

John Broadus Watson

* 1878

* 187 1958

1

 In 1913, he wrote an article called

In 1913, he wrote an article called

"Psychology as a Behaviorist

"Psychology as a Behavior

Views It" for Psychological

for P

Review.

Revie

Here, he outlined the behaviorist

Here, he outlined the behavio

program.

prog

 This was followed in the following

This was followed in the followin

year by the book

year by the bo

Behaviorism: An Introduction to

Behav

comparative Psychology

comparative Psyc

.

In this book, he pushed the study of

In this book, he pushed the stud

rats as a useful model for human

rats as a useful model for human

behavior.

beh

 Most importantly, Watson

Most importantly, W

denied the existence of

denied the existence o

any human instincts, inherited capacities or

any human instincts, inherited capacities o

talents, and temperaments.

talents, and temperamen

 This radical environmentalism

radical environmentali

is reflected in what is

is reflected in what

perhaps his best known quote:

perhaps his best

„Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my

„Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and m

own specified world to bring them up in and I’ll

own specified world to bring them up in and I

guarantee to take any one at random and train him to

guarantee to take any one at random and train him

become any type of specialist I might select -- doctor,

become any type of specialist I might select -- doct

lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-

lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even begg

man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants,

man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchan

tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his

tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of h

ancestors.“

ancestor

(In Behaviorism, 1930)

(In

Burrhus Frederic Skinner

Burrhus Freder

 Neo-behaviourism

Neo-behaviour

is represented first

is represented fir

all by B. F. Skinner, who followed the

all by B. F. Skinner, who follow

tradition of Watson and added a unique

tradition of Watson and added a uniqu

dimension to behaviouristic

dimension to behaviouris

psychology:

psycholog operant conditioning

operant condit

.

 Operant behaviour is behaviour in

Operant behaviour is behaviou

which one "operates" on the

which one "operates" o

environment. Within this model the

environment. Within this model

importance of stimuli is deemphasized.

importance of stimuli is deemphasiz

Operants as classes of specific

Operants as classes of specifi

responses must be positively

responses must be positively

reinforced.

reinfor

* 1904

* 190  1990

1

This process

This proc

consists of three stages:

consists of three sta

stimulus (S) - response (R)

stimulus (S) - response (R - reinforcement (R)

reinforcement (R

 Skinner designed an

apparatus, called
a Skinner box

Skinner

, that

allowed him to formulate

allowed him to form

important principles of

important principles of

animal learning.

 An animal placed inside the box is rewarded

An animal placed
with a small bit of food each time it makes the

with a small bit of food each time it m

desired response, such as pressing a lever or

pecking a key. A device outside the box records

the animal's responses.

There have been many criticisms of behaviorism,

There have been many criticisms of behaviorism

including the following:

including the f

 Behaviorism does not account for all kinds of learning,

Behaviorism does not account for all kinds of learning

since it disregards the activities of the mind.

since it disregards the activities of the mind

 Behaviorism does not explain some learning--such as

Behaviorism does not explain some learning--such as

the recognition of new language patterns by young

the recognition of new language patterns by y

children--for which there is no reinforcement

children--for which there is no reinforcem

mechanism.

mechanis

 Researches have shown that animals adapt their

Researches have shown that animals adapt their

reinforced patterns to new information. For instance, a

reinforced patterns to new information. For insta

rat can shift its behavior to respond to changes in the

rat can shift its behavior to respond to changes in the

layout of a maze it had previously mastered through

layout of a maze it had previously mastered throug

reinforcements.

reinforcemen

7. Criticism

7. C

8. Conclusion

8. C

 The behaviorist approach has had a major influence in

The behaviorist approach has had a

psychology and has contributed to our understanding

psychology and has contributed to our underst

of psychological functioning and has provided a

of psychological functioning and has

number of techniques for changing unwanted

number of techniques for changing unw

behaviour. It is also argued that its use of rigorous

behaviour. It is also argued that its us

empirical methods has enhanced the credibility of

empirical methods has enhanced the credibilit

psychology as a science.

psychology as a sc

 However behaviourisms reductionist approach tends to

However behaviourisms reductionist approach tends

overlook the realm of consciousness and subjective

overlook the realm of consciousness and subj

experiences and it does not address the possible role

experiences and it does not address the pos

of biological factors in human behaviour. Individuals

of biological factors in human behaviour.

are seen as passive beings that are at the mercy of

are seen as passive beings that are at the merc

their environments. This emphasis on environmental

their environments. This emphas

determinism leaves no room for the notion of free will in

determinism leaves no room for the notion of free w

an individual.

an indi

9. Bibliography & Web links

9. Bib

 Boroš J.; Ondrišková E.; Živčicová E.:

Boroš J.; Ondrišková E.; Živčicová

Psychológia

Psy

.

Bratislava: IRIS, 1999.

Bratislava: IRI

 Haluškova, A.; Repka, R.:

Haluškova, A.; Repka,

A Course in English Language Didactics

A Course in Englis

.

Bratislava: RETAAS, 2005

Bratislava: RETAAS

 Skinner, B. F.:

Skinner,

About behaviorism.

About behav

New York: Knopf, 1974.

New York: Knopf

 Zuriff, G.:

Zuriff,

Behaviorism: A Conceptual Reconstruction

Behaviorism: A Conceptual Recons

.

New York: Columbia University Press, 1985.

New York: Columbia University Press

INTERNET

INTERN

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv1-30

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv1-

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Behaviorism&printable=yes

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Behaviorism&pr

http://www.learnpsychology.net/g/29

http://www.learnpsychology.net/

http://www.personalityresearch.org/behaviorism.html

http://www.personalityresearch.org/behavioris

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/skinner.html

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/s

http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/eischens.html

http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/eischens

http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/Behaviorism/Part1/sec2.shtml

http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/Behaviorism/Part1/

http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/f/behaviorism.htm

http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/f/behavior

http://www.iep.utm.edu/b/behavior.htm

http://www.iep.utm.edu/b/behavior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxKfpKQzow8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxKfpKQzow

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR ATTENTION

FOR YOUR ATTEN

&

HAVE A NICE DAY

HAVE A NICE D