BEHAVIORAL LEARNING THEORIES

Chapter 6
 Behavioral Learning Theory

According to the behaviorists, learning can be

defined as “the relatively permanent change
in behavior brought about as a result of
experience or practice.”
 Behavioral Learning Theory

Behaviorists recognize that learning is an

internal event. However, it is not
recognized as learning until it is displayed
by overt behavior.
 Classical Conditioning Theory
Classical conditioning was the first type of
learning to be discovered and studied within
the behaviorist tradition (hence the name
classical).
The major theorist in the development of
classical conditioning is Ivan Pavlov, a Russian
scientist trained in biology and medicine (as
was his German contemporary, Sigmund
Freud).
 Classical Conditioning Theory
Pavlov was studying the digestive system of dogs and
became intrigued with his observation that dogs
deprived of food began to salivate when one of his
assistants walked into the room.
• He began to investigate this phenomena and
established the laws of classical conditioning.

•Skinner renamed this type of learning "respondent

conditioning” since in this type of learning, one is
responding to an environmental antecedent.
• Features of Classical Conditioning
• Features of Classical Conditioning

• Stimulus generalization –It is a process by

which the conditioned response transfers to
other stimuli to other stimuli that are similar
to the original conditioned stimulus.
• Features of Classical Conditioning

• Discrimination – This is another process by

which one learns not to respond to similar
stimuli in an identical manner because of
previous experience. This is the opposite of
generalization.
• Features of Classical Conditioning

• Extinction – This refers to the process by

which a conditioned response is lost.
• THORNDIKE’S CONNECTIONISM
• Thordike’s Connectionism
 Thordike did not limit himself to the
association between the stimulus and
response.
 He further believed that all learning is
explained by bonds or connections that are
formed between the stimulus and response
• These connectionism occur mainly through
trial and error.
• This theory was therefore called
connectionism which means learning by
selecting and connecting.
• THREE MAJOR LAWS OF LEARNING
• 3 MAJOR LAWS OF LEARNING
• Law of Readiness – Is a very important
condition of learning, because a learner may
be satisfied or frustrated depending on his/her
state of readiness.
• Nobody can force a learner if he/she is not
biologically and psychologically prepared.
• 3 MAJOR LAWS OF LEARNING
• Law of Exercise –This law explains that any
connection is strengthened in proportions to the
number of times it occurs and in proportion to the
average and duration of the connection.
• The connectiom is to be strengthened through
reinforcement, thus the law of effect must also
operate.
• 3 MAJOR LAWS OF LEARNING
• Law of Effect –The greatest contribution of
Thordikes. When the organism’s response is
accompanied or followed by a satisfactory state,
the streght of the connection is increased.
• Learners tends to learn more effectively and
retain the learning longer, if he/she experience
pleasant consequences.