...Behaviorism: How We Learn by Doing and The Effects it Has On Teaching New Behaviors Tina Marie Saunders American Intercontinental University February 1, 2015 Abstract In this paper, I will show how behaviorist theories have shaped and molded new behaviors. I will talk about the origins and a central component of each action theory, including Classical Conditioning, Law of Effect, and Operant Conditioning. Both Classical condition and operant conditioning are the central focal point in my paper. I will present a brief assessment of Classical Conditioning, Law of Effect, and Operant Conditioning experiments and how they directly link to learning new behaviors. I argue there is a direct relationship to how we learned behavior, is the foundation for building a new practice by performing a task repeatedly. Keywords: Behavior, conditioning, stimulus, shaping, prompting, fading How we learn From Doing has been the Foundation for Behaviorism and its Effect it has thrown on New Learning Explanations Behaviorism was a virtuoso among the most, sketchy, and most tried speculation in the field of psychology in the twentieth Century. Man has dependably been attractive with this "tell me, and I disregard" learning. The idea individuals can change conduct or adjusted, or spread out or diminished is the heart of behavior hypothesis. I will demonstrate how we learn from doing has been the foundation for behaviorism and its effect it has thrown on new learning explanations (of why...
Words: 1354 - Pages: 6
...Behavioral Models of Personality Critique Draya Ashlee Ashford University Abstract This paper explores my knowledge and opinions on the Behavioral Models of Personality (BMP). This article will show the various theories of BMP present Behavioral Models of Personality Critique Personality is the combination of characteristics and qualities that mix together to form an individuals very distinctive character. The ability to have an perfectly untainted personality may be unheard of, and for many may sound ridiculous. Different models of personality help us to categorize the different aspects of one’s personality, how a personality problem can be recognized, and how to effectively treat an personality illness. I will critique the behavioral model of personality by looking at the theories present , the major contributors to the field, the different methods of inquiry , along with the strengths and weakness of the model , and how possible future research may be done to further elucidate the role of this model in understanding personality. The behavioral model of personality closely focuses on the “emphasis on studying what is observable challenged psychology and` personality researchers to meet higher empirical standards.” (Magnavita, J.J. 2012). Such observable events that occur inside of the human mind, which are acted outside of the human mind , better known as our actions. It is usually based on inductive thinking...
Words: 772 - Pages: 4
...Behaviorism and Its Effect on the Understanding of Learning AIU Online Abstract This paper focuses on a brief summary on the history of behaviorism, starting with experiments conducted by Franklin Henry Giddings and Ivan Pavlov, a sociologist and a physiologist whom established the groundwork for behaviorism, particularly in America. In addition, this paper also explains the main components of behaviorism, which are classical conditioning and operant conditioning, connectionism, and the contiguity theory. It moves forward to explain four experiments that are popular through the study of behaviorism: the reason behind conditioned salivation in Ivan Pavlov’s dogs, conditioned responses in humans through Watson’s little Albert experiment, Thorndike’s research with cats and a puzzle box to demonstrate the law of effect through the use of reinforcements, and B.F. Skinner’s experiment with rats to prove how an organism learns through operant conditioning. Finally, this paper examines how, according to behaviorists, there are three principles of learning new and intricate behaviors, known as shaping, chaining, and fading. Behaviorism and Its Effect on the Understanding of Learning Behaviorism suggests that an organism learns from its environment. It is the result of the association between a stimulus and a response. An organism learns new behavior through classical or operant conditioning. It is a theory that does not base its ideals on emotions or prior knowledge. Some say behaviorism...
Words: 3343 - Pages: 14
...Problem Solving Paper Psych. 560 June 24, 2013 Prof. Pitt Problem Solving Paper Problem solving skills are a necessity in order to make effective decisions and manage a team. Without problem solving skills it is impossible for one to be credible and make reliable decisions each and every time. Problem-solving is a mental process that is used to discover, analyze, and solve problems. When problem solving, the ultimate goal is to conquer hurdles and come up with the best solution. Discovering and identifying the Problem can be complicated process. When individuals mistakenly identify the source of a problem incorrectly it will most often lead to inefficient or useless attempts to solve it. The aim of this paper is to identify the approaches to the study of problem-solving and inform the role of insight and creativity in the process of problem solving. The paper also seeks to examine issues with representation and solution. As well as examining the role of reasoning, judgment, and decision making in the process of problem-solving. Approaches to the Study of Problem-Solving The approaches to the study of problem solving include Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology and Cognitive Psychology. Behaviorism concentrates on what goes on in minds and solemnly focuses on general behavior. Discovered in the early twenties by John Watson but made popular by B.F Skinner, behaviorism concentrates on what goes on in minds and solemnly focuses on general behavior. They came up with a principle...
Words: 1639 - Pages: 7
...“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.” Viktor Emil Frankl, M.D., Ph.D (Man's Search for Meaning; 1946 ) Everyone of us, Human or animal alike, have been living in this world since the primordial time. Coping with every change that had happened and developing new routine in everyday life. Routines that may soon be etch with in our system. That will eventually turn out to be a habit. A habit that will consume our senses until it will all become our Behavior. As to Psychologists, Behaviorism is more concerned with behavior than with thinking, feeling, or knowing. It focuses on the objective and observable components of behavior. Behaviorism focus on behaviors that can be observed only. Behaviorism deals with the consequences of behavior and those behaviors can be rewarded or punished. (Huitt, W., & Hummel, J. (2006). An overview of the behavioral perspective. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. ) HISTORY Behaviourism is derived from the belief that free will is an illusion. According to a pure behaviourist, ( John B. Watson (1878-1958)) human beings are shaped entirely by their external environment. Alter a person's environment, and you will alter his or her thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Provide positive reinforcement whenever someone perform a desired behaviour, and soon they will learn to perform the behaviour...
Words: 3462 - Pages: 14
...someone who had a bad experience with almost drowning in water as a child may develop a phobia of water in their later years as an adult. Or maybe a person has seen a bad horror movie with clowns that make the person hate them later in life. Another interesting occurrence in humans is addictions. Addiction the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma (Dictionary, 2014). When presenting the word addiction, a person might think of something that a person needs and stresses about. For example, a person who smokes may be addicted to cigarettes. Both phobia and addiction are very common in humans. This paper will discuss how phobias can be developed through classical conditioning, how addictions can be developed through operant conditioning, the difference between classical and operate conditioning, and finally what extinction means and how it is achieved in both classical and operant conditioning. First, we will discuss how phobias can be developed through classical conditioning. Classical conditioning was the first type of learning to be studied systematically (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). Ivan Pavlov, who was a Russian phycologist, started studies of the so called classical conditioning from studies with dogs and the stimulations that caused dogs to salivate. Pavlov discovered that when food was present with...
Words: 923 - Pages: 4
...reader directly. Prefer third-person pronouns (he, she, they, it)] want completed. This proved to be possible by giving a positive or negative response to the set behavior wanted until the tested subject gets the intended behavior correct. In summary this manipulates the subject for a specific result. B.F Skinner also known as the creator of this study “believed that the mechanisms of learning are the same for all species” (Kiernan, fall 2013) [The citation for a direct quote needs the page number] . Skinner’s taught us [Use "we," "us," or "our" to mean yourself and coauthors, not general humanity (or yourself and the reader)] that any behavior can be accomplished if presented and taught properly through the rules of operant conditioning by simply punishing or reinforcing. Although Skinner was seen [The passive voice is a form of "be" (was) and a participle (seen). Over-use of the passive voice can make paragraphs officious and tedious to read. Prefer the active voice. For example, passive voice = The paper was completed on time. Active voice = the student completed the paper on time.] as the primary figure in this theory, he wouldn’t [Contractions are inappropriate in academic writing--write it out] have been able to [Wordiness: this phrase can be simplified to one word--"could"] accomplish it without the input of E.L Thorndike. Thorndike discovered the “law and effect method stating that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened and behaviors followed by negative...
Words: 1942 - Pages: 8
...be described as a process that attempts to modify behaviour through the use of positive and negative reinforcements. Through operant conditioning an individual makes an association between a particular behaviour and consequence.” This theory is applicable in the conventional learning situation since it is tool educators can utilize to manage the classroom effectively and shape skill performance by pairing behaviours with rewards and punishment, even though it might have its limitations. Operant conditioning theory is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishment of behaviour. Edward Thorndike was the first to relate this in his psychological principle of Law and Effect. It stated that “any behaviour that is followed by pleasant consequences is likely to be repeated, and any behaviour followed by an unpleasant consequence is likely to be stopped.”(Thorndike,1998). Being mesmerized by Thorndike’s idea Skinner became the pioneer of operant conditioning theory. He theorized that “if a behaviour is followed by reinforcement, the behaviour will be repeated but if followed by punishment the behaviour will not be...
Words: 1206 - Pages: 5
...What Is Operant Conditioning? Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior. Operant conditioning was coined by behaviorist B.F. Skinner, which is why you may occasionally hear it referred to as Skinnerian conditioning. As a behaviorist, Skinner believed that internal thoughts and motivations could not be used to explain behavior. Instead, he suggested, we should look only at the external, observable causes of human behavior. Skinner used the term operant to refer to any "active behavior that operates upon the environment to generate consequences" (1953). In other words, Skinner's theory explained how we acquire the range of learned behaviors we exhibit each and every day. Examples of Operant Conditioning We can find examples of operant conditioning at work all around us. Consider the case of children completing homework to earn a reward from a parent or teacher, or employees finishing projects to receive praise or promotions. In these examples, the promise or possibility of rewards causes an increase in behavior, but operant conditioning can also be used to decrease a behavior. The removal of an undesirable outcome or the use of punishment can be used to decrease or prevent undesirable behaviors. For example, a child may be told they will lose recess privileges...
Words: 5287 - Pages: 22
...Liberty University Theological Seminary A paper Presented to Dr. Jim Zabloski In partial fulfillment for the course: Ministry of Teaching DSMN 601 By Watson Rugano October 25, 2012 Yount Learning Theory Systems. To fully grasp and appreciate the learning theories suggested by William Yount, it is imperative that we discuss some of the key issues he highlights. The four theories are, traditional behavioral learning, social behavioral learning, cognitive I & II learning and humanistic learning theories. Although the materials covering those theories are enormous, this paper will only offer brief understanding of the said theories, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Several personalities have been credited with promoting Traditional Behavioral Learning theories that have shed light into the nature of learning. Ivan Pavlov is popular for advancing classical conditioning “which focused on an association, or bond, between a stimulus and given response.” To this end, Pavlov experimented with a dog to measure salivation rates under differing conditions. On the other hand, John Watson and Edward Thorndike were known as the father of behaviorism and Educational psychology respectively. Although Watson’s contribution was essential in understanding human behavior, his attempt to associate the fear of rats by loudly banging a bell behind the boy Albert left more unanswered questions. However, it would be Thorndike who extended “Pavlov’s work beyond mere reflex...
Words: 1486 - Pages: 6
...negative punishment to change behavior using a basic cause and effect method. Psychologist Edward L. Thorndike was the first to study operant behavior and was later expanded on by psychologist B. F. Skinner. Skinner was a behaviorist that believed that to understand behavior you must look at the causes of actions, and its consequences. Skinner’s theory explains how we acquire the range of learned behaviors we display each and every day. Two of the four components used in operant conditioning are positive and negative reinforcement, which is used to increase a desired behavior. Positive reinforcement is defined in our text and there is really no better way to explain it, as the strengthening of a response by presenting a typically pleasurable stimulus after the response. (Stangor, 2010, p. 204). An example of using positive reinforcement is that I gave my child a prize after he got a good grade in his class. Another example is that I received praise for doing a good job at work. Ethical concerns when using this method is one might come to expect a reward for the certain desired behavior. Negative reinforcement is defined as the strengthening of a response by removing a typically unpleasant stimulus after the response (Stangor. 2010, p. 204). An example of negative reinforcement is that our teacher gave us a pass on our quiz this week so we can do a good job on our paper or my kids cleaned their room to avoid me yelling at them. An ethical concern with this method it that...
Words: 575 - Pages: 3
...and apply that definition to the problem at hand. In this paper, we will attempt to define the correct version of the halo effect as it applies to this literature review. This paper will then look at the history of the halo effect in business and define how it is being used today. During the writing, examples and studies regarding the halo effect that have already been completed will also be reviewed to see if the halo effect can genuinely and repeatedly be used in business to increase profits or generate revenues. LITERATURE REVIEW: HALO EFFECT Literature Review: Halo Effect Introduction Definition When discussing and researching the term “Halo Effect” the various definitions of the 3 phrase must be reviewed. Once reviewed, the researcher then has the responsibility to determine which definition best fits their research question at hand in order to best formulate the research design and subsequent answer. One of the definitions of halo effect is from the textbook Business research methods by Donald Cooper. It is defined as “error caused when prior observations influence perceptions of current observations” (Cooper & Schindler, 2011). Though broadly appropriate to the research at hand, perhaps a better definition would be from the psychologist Edward Thorndike, which states that “cognitive bias in which our judgments of a person’s character can be influenced by our overall impression of him or her (Thorndike, 1920).” A good example to help explain the halo effect--one...
Words: 7558 - Pages: 31
...objectively measured. This paper will; (1) summarize the four conditioning theories of behaviorism, (2) analyze the strengths and weaknesses of behaviorism in general, (3) apply behaviorism to a practical situation in your specialization, describing the situation, how the theory can be applied, and what the expected outcomes would be, as well as (4) describe the relation of behaviorism to self-regulation. The four conditioning theories of behaviorism Connectionism- Thorndike’s connectionism theory explains that as an individual experiences life, the feelings that they develop during the experiences allows that individual to modify their behavior. According to Schunk (2012) the theory of connectionism was developed by Thorndike and is a theory that involves formation associations between responses and stimuli. Thorndike’s theory is composed of three primary laws; (1) the law of effect, (2) the law of readiness, and (3) the law of exercise, it is these three laws that connect the sensory experiences and neural impulses (Schunk, 2012). The law of effect indicates that responses are strengthened when they are followed by satisfaction and responses are weakened when they are followed by discomfort (MacInnes, 2006). The law of readiness indicates that when there is a learning experience, the mind must be willing to connect to that experience. The law of exercise indicates that the connection between the stimulus and the response gets stronger when the...
Words: 1559 - Pages: 7
...Behaviorism as a Theory of Personality: A Critical Look Payal Naik Northwestern University This paper explores the theory of behaviorism and evaluates its effectiveness as a theory of personality. It takes into consideration all aspects of the behaviorism theory, including Pavlov's classical conditioning and Skinner's operant conditioning. Additional research in this field by scientists such as Thorndike is also included. As a result of this critical look at behaviorism, its weaknesses as a comprehensive personality theory are revealed. At the same time, its merits when restricted to certain areas of psychology and treatment of disorders are discussed. For as long as human beings can remember, they have always been interested in what makes them who they are and what aspects of their being set each of them apart from others of their species. The answer according to behaviorists is nothing more than the world in which they grew up. Behaviorism is the theory that human nature can be fully understood by the laws inherent in the natural environment. As one of the oldest theories of personality, behaviorism dates back to Descartes, who introduced the idea of a stimulus and called the person a machine dependent on external events whose soul was the ghost in the machine. Behaviorism takes this idea to another level. Although most theories operate to some degree on the assumption that humans have some sort of free will and are moral thinking entities, behaviorism refuses to acknowledge...
Words: 3684 - Pages: 15
...a person" (Nisbett & Wilson, 1977, p. 250) or "the influence of a rater's general impression on ratings of specific ratee qualities" (Lance, LaPointe, & Stewart, 1994, p. 339). The article tries to understand the background and research done into halo error and whether there is clear evidence to suggest that there is a positive or negative link to rating accuracy due to Halo error. It attempts to see if there are ways in which an organization can effectively utilize these research findings to counter halo error or whether any experiments done are effective only in a laboratory setting. Finally review on whether this aspect of the performance appraisal can be incorporated into an actual performance appraisal system. Individual Research Paper – Halo Error in Performance Management Systems Introduction and Background 3 What is Halo Error – The underlying research and theory 3 Deep Dive 5 How to counter the halo error or reduce error? 5 Effective use of the understanding of Halo Error 6 References 8 Introduction and Background A critical component of the Performance Management System and the backbone of Human Resources is Performance Appraisal and is also the most difficult to execute. Performance Management Systems require accurate ratings and the rating process can be difficult because biases of raters are involved. Rating errors are...
Words: 3840 - Pages: 16
