Behavioral Views of Learning
Chapter 6
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Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon
Overview
• Understanding Learning
• Early Explanations of Learning
• Contiguity and Classical Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Behavioral Approaches to Teaching &
Management
• Problems & Issues
Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon
Concept Map for Chapter 6
Problems
& Issues
Self-Regulated
Learning & Cognitive
Understanding
Learning
of Learning
Behavioral Views
of
Learning
Behavior Modification
Behaviorism,
Teaching &
Management
Early
Explanations
Contiguity and
Classical
Conditioning
Applied
Behavior
Analysis
Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon
Operant
Conditioning
Definition of Learning
•
•
•
•
When experience causes a relatively
permanent change in knowledge or
behavior
Learning is the result of experience
Learning is not the result of maturation
or temporary conditions (illness)
Behavioural View
Cognitive View
Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon
Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Response
Neutral
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Response
Repeat pairing US with NS
Conditioned
Stimulus
Conditioned
Response
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Skinner: Operant Conditioning
• Operants: Deliberate actions
 Operate on the environment to bring about a
consequence (not just respondent)
• Thorndike’s Law of Effect
 Set the stage for Skinner
• ABC’s
 Antecedent – behaviour--consequence
• Reinforcement
 Positive or negative
 Strengthens the behaviour it follows
• Punishment
 Presentation or removal
 Serves to decrease
or suppress a behavior
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Reinforcement Schedules
Typ es of R ein forc em en t S c h ed u les
C on tin u ou s
In term itten t
V ariab le
F ixed
In terval
R atio
R atio
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In terval
Applied Behavior Analysis (aka
Behaviour Modification)
• Baseline behavior
• Target behavior
• ABAB
• Classroom application:
1
2
3
- Specify the desired behavior
- Plan a specific intervention
- Keep track of the results
Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon
Interventions: Encouraging
Positive Behavior
•
Teacher attention

1.
2.
3.
•
Praise good behaviours; ignore
misbehaviour
Contingent (immediate)
Specific (for target behavior)
Sincere (not ridiculous)
Premack principle (using bait exchange
high for low)
•
•
Shaping – reinforce progress
Positive practice
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Coping with Undesirable
Behaviors
• Negative reinforcement: “No recess
•
•
•
•
until…”
Satiation: “I would like 1000 of those
perfect spit wads, please!”
Reprimands: soft & private
Response cost: pay the fine
Social isolation
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Coping with Undesirable
Behaviors
• Cautions: Use a two-pronged
approach:
 #1
- Punishment for undesired
behavior
 #2 - Clarify and reinforce desired
behavior
Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon
Behavioral approach to Teaching:
Mastery Learning
• Students must
demonstrate
competence before
moving to next
unit
• Mastery means
80–90% correct
• Focuses on basic
skills
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Behavioral Management
• Group
consequences
• Token
reinforcement
• Contingency
contracts
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Recent Approaches: SelfRegulated Learning (expanding behaviorism)
• The responsibility and ability to learn
rest with the student (student takes active role in
own B-mod).
• Self-management (for lifelong learning)
 Set
goals and make the goals public
 Standards and effect on performance
 Record & evaluate performance
 Promote self-reinforcement
Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon
Recent Approaches: Cognitive Behavior
Modification & Self-Instruction
• Similar to self-regulated
learning
• Adds thinking and self-talk
 Vygotsky
(private speech)
 Meichenbaum (cognitive self
instruction)
• More cognitive than
behavioral approach
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Cognitive Behavior Modification
& Self-Instruction
• Teaching self-talk:
 Demonstrate
& supervise
 Talk out loud while practicing,
student imitates
 Whisper while practicing, student
imitates
 Work toward private speech while
practicing
Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon
Problems & Issues
• Extrinsic rewards may lead to loss of
•
•
•
•
interest in learning for learning’s sake
Decrease in motivation
Equality
Control ethics
See Point/Counterpoint
Copyright © 2004 by Allyn and Bacon