LECTURE 10 BEHAVIOURISTIC APPROACH IN FLT Behaviorism

LECTURE 10 BEHAVIOURISTIC APPROACH IN FLT

Behaviorism is theory that states that people can be taught through the use of reward and/or punishment. It often involves the use of drill-and-practice as the main form of instruction. In behaviorism the teacher is the main focus of the class and all the students must often follow the directions exactly as they are given.

Behavioral learning theorists believe that learning has occurred when you can see changes in behavior. The behavioral learning model learning is the result of conditioning.

The basis of conditioning is that a reward following a desirable response acts as a reinforcer and increases the likelihood that the desirable response will be repeated.

B. F. SKINNER 1904 - 1990 Burrhus Frederic Skinner was born March 20, 1904, in the small Pennsylvania town of Susquehanna. His father was a lawyer, and his mother a strong and intelligent housewife. His upbringing was oldfashioned and hard-working.

PRINCIPLES THAT B. F. SKINNER IDENTIFIED IN HIS RESEARCH: q Pleasant experiences (such as rewards or praise) are positive reinforcers. They cause learners to make desired connections between stimuli and responses. q Unpleasant experiences (such as punishment) are negative reinforcers. They cause learners to avoid undesirable responses to stimuli. q Continuous reinforcement increases the rate of learning. q Intermittent reinforcement contributes to longer retention of what is learned. q Both positive and negative reinforcement can shape behavior. q A lack of any reinforcement can also shape behavior. If people receive no acknowledgement of their behavior, they will likely change that behavior until they receive some kind of reinforcement.

REINFORCEMENT

Reinforcement is the core of the behaviorist approach. Continuous reinforcement in every instance of desirable behavior is useful when a behavior is being introduced. Once a desired behavior is established, intermittent reinforcement maintains the behavior.

Learning is broken down into small steps so that the person can be successful. The teacher provides reinforcement at each step of the process. For example, when a student is learning how to show presentation, the teacher looks for a positive behavior and then gives the student immediate reinforcement by saying, “I liked the way you make the eye contact” or “You did an excellent presentation”.

Teachers use positive reinforcement as a behaviorism approach. Positive reinforcement occurs when a teacher adds a stimulus after a certain behavior. For example, a teacher might give a child a sticker when the child answers a question correctly. Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of repeated behavior. This type of reinforcement also motivates students.

Negative reinforcement increases the probability of a response that removes or prevents an adverse condition. Many classroom teachers mistakenly believe that negative reinforcement is punishment administered to suppress behavior; however, negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior, as does positive reinforcement. Negative implies removing a consequence that a student finds unpleasant.

Negative reinforcement might include: Obtaining a score of 80% or higher makes the final exam optional. Submitting all assignments on time results in the lowest grade being dropped. Perfect attendance is rewarded with a "homework pass. "

DISADVANTAGES Sometimes positive reinforcement backfires. Children might become reliant on rewards for desired behaviors. Teachers can counteract this by reducing rewards when the child begins to display the desired behavior. Behaviorism also doesn't work well for all subjects. Concepts such as writing, which requires students to analyze and interpret information, might not benefit from the behaviorist approach.

ADVANTAGES Behaviorist learning principles benefit children with learning disabilities, by approaching not only learning issues, but behavioral issues as well. These teaching methods work best on subjects that require students to memorize facts, such as history, social studies and mathematics.

ADVANTAGES The behaviorist approach to learning also involves breaking down large skill sets into smaller, more manageable skills. This allows students to master concepts before moving to the next skill set. For example, teachers break down phonics into individual letter sounds before moving to more advanced concepts.

Punishment involves presenting a strong stimulus that decreases the frequency of a particular response. Punishment is effective in quickly eliminating undesirable behaviors. Examples of punishment include: Students who fight are immediately referred to the principal. Late assignments are given a grade of "0". Three tardies to class results in a call to the parents. Failure to do homework results in after-school detention (privilege of going home is removed).

REINFORCEMENT (BEHAVIOR INCREASES) Positive Reinforcement Something is added to increase desired behavior Ex: Smile and compliment student on good performance § Negative Reinforcement Something is removed to increase desired behavior Ex: Give a free homework pass for turning in all assignments

PUNISHMENT (BEHAVIOR DECREASES) Positive Punishment Something is added to decrease undesired behavior Ex: Give student detention for failing to follow the class rules Negative Punishment Something is removed to decrease undesired behavior Ex: Make student miss their time in recess for not following the class rules

Consequences occur immediately after a behavior. Consequences may be positive or negative, expected or unexpected, immediate or long-term, extrinsic or intrinsic, material or symbolic (a failing grade), emotional/interpersonal or even unconscious. Consequences occur after the "target" behavior occurs, when either positive or negative reinforcement may be given.