Behaviourism
This paragraph gives an overview of the behavioristic learning theory to help the reader better understand the theory and it's pros and cons.
SUMMARY:
How do students learn? The behavioristic learning theory is based on the believe that learners can be trained by using positive and negative reinforcement, also knowns as stimuli. Behaviorism explains that learners will quickly realize that each action leads to a reaction (of the environment) and over time they will internalize the reaction and will adapt their behavior to base their actions to receive the reaction they please. Advocates of the behavioristic learning theory believe that learning takes place due to constant feedback and regular guidance about what is good or bad by using repetitive positive (e.g. money, good grades, praise) and negative (additional homework, detention) reinforcements.
Whilst behavioristic learning is effective for learning languages and as such other straight forward subjects, it might be less advantageous for more complex topics where there rights and wrongs are less clear (Western Governors University, 2020). Also, it's fully based on extrinsic motivators which may lead to student's decline in intrinsic motivation. I can actually attest to this out of my personal experience: I have always been a good students and have always been getting good grades because I understood early on how testing and assessment worked. I have spent most of my school time trying to get good grades, at the expense of learning more about some topics that I was actually intrinsically motivated to learn more about, due to time capacity challenges.
It's important to understand the behavioristic learning theory to know how to most effectively motivate learners.
CASE STUDY:
One of the scenarios where behaviorism is the primary learning theory is when students get a monetary stimuli (e.g. USD 5) when achieving a certain grade in a class (positive reinforcement). The grade to be achieved gets agreed upon beforehand between the parent and child. The negative effects of not achieving the agreed upon grade would be to not receive the money. I have not experienced this type of stimuli myself in my childhood but I have seen parents of some of my classmates utilize it regularly.
Pros:
Cons:
References:
SUMMARY:
How do students learn? The behavioristic learning theory is based on the believe that learners can be trained by using positive and negative reinforcement, also knowns as stimuli. Behaviorism explains that learners will quickly realize that each action leads to a reaction (of the environment) and over time they will internalize the reaction and will adapt their behavior to base their actions to receive the reaction they please. Advocates of the behavioristic learning theory believe that learning takes place due to constant feedback and regular guidance about what is good or bad by using repetitive positive (e.g. money, good grades, praise) and negative (additional homework, detention) reinforcements.
Whilst behavioristic learning is effective for learning languages and as such other straight forward subjects, it might be less advantageous for more complex topics where there rights and wrongs are less clear (Western Governors University, 2020). Also, it's fully based on extrinsic motivators which may lead to student's decline in intrinsic motivation. I can actually attest to this out of my personal experience: I have always been a good students and have always been getting good grades because I understood early on how testing and assessment worked. I have spent most of my school time trying to get good grades, at the expense of learning more about some topics that I was actually intrinsically motivated to learn more about, due to time capacity challenges.
It's important to understand the behavioristic learning theory to know how to most effectively motivate learners.
CASE STUDY:
One of the scenarios where behaviorism is the primary learning theory is when students get a monetary stimuli (e.g. USD 5) when achieving a certain grade in a class (positive reinforcement). The grade to be achieved gets agreed upon beforehand between the parent and child. The negative effects of not achieving the agreed upon grade would be to not receive the money. I have not experienced this type of stimuli myself in my childhood but I have seen parents of some of my classmates utilize it regularly.
Pros:
- The learner know exactly what is expected from him/her and has a clear goal to work towards.
- As a parent/teacher/facilitator/lecturer utilizing behaviorism as a learning strategy for one's student can be a very time effective and simple way to motivate leaners - although not sustainably.
Cons:
- There is a risk that the learner will no longer be motivated to learn once the stimuli disappears.
- The learner is guided by extrinsic motivation which can be little sustainable. The more sustainable way of learning would be for the learner to be guided by intrinsic motivation "include fascination with the subject, a sense of its relevance to life and the world, a sense of accomplishment in mastering it, and a sense of calling to it" (Vanderbelt University, 2020).
- A study by Edward Deci has also shown that "extrinsic motivation can have a negative impact on intrinsic motivation" (Ken Bain, 2004).
References:
- Ken Bain (2004). What the Best College Teachers Do, Harvard University Press, pp. 32-33.
- Vanderbelt University (2020). Motivating Students. Retrieved from: https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/motivating-students/#extrinsic.
- Western Governors University (2020). What is the Behavioral Learning Theory?. Retrieved from: https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-behavioral-learning-theory2005.html.