Behaviourism

Question 1

How many approaches are there

Answer 1

There are 5 approaches

1. Behaviourism
2. Cognitive constructivism
3. Social constructivism
4. connectivism
5. Humanism

Question 2

What is behaviourism?

Answer 2

Behaviourism is an approach that is often used to shape children and young people’s behaviour. It can also be used as a way of helping children remember information.
An example of behaviourism is when children learn their times tables in order to get praise or reward.

Question 3

What is conditioning?

Answer 3

The term conditioning is an important feature in behaviourism. It refers to the way that responses are shaped as a result of what happens to the child or young person. The term stimuli is used to describe the triggers or the what happens part of the process.

Question 4

How many types of conditioning are there and what are they?

Answer 4

1. Classical Conditioning
   This occurs when the stimuli is presented first, for example, a bell rings before a dog is fed. After a while the dog learns that the bell signals food and becomes excited.

Two experiments showed how classical conditioning worked.
1) Ivan Pavlov did a study showing that dogs could be trained to salivate if they heard a bell, even when eventually no food was given.
2) John Watson showed that classical conditioning could create a phobia in a child. The child, named as ‘Little Albert’, became afraid of a rat because a loud noise was made each time he saw the rat.

2. Operant conditioning
   Operant conditioning uses reinforcers, including rewards, after the stimuli to strengthen or weaken the responses. For example a child keeps working hard because they want a sticker from the teacher. The sticker is a reinforcer.

The use of rewards (positive reinforcement) to modify behaviour was a particular feature of Skinners behaviourist approach. He used the term operant conditioning to describe how positive and negative reinforcements could shape learning including behaviour. Stickers, praise and sanctions are examples of how his theory is used in practice

Question 5

What are the two important things to remember about behaviourism?

Answer 5

• Continuity : Behaviourism can be used to support learning and shape behaviour BUT information may not be retained if it is not practiced for a while.
• Motivation : The learner is motivated by the reinforcement, such as getting a sticker or praise from the teacher. If positive reinforcement stops, learners may not continue with the activity.

Behaviourism is therefore rarely used as a single approach when teaching. This is because it is thought that when a child or young person is motivated by a desire to learn something, retention and understanding of information is better.

Question 6

What are the key points of behaviourism?

Answer 6

Antecedents - Stimuli that signal expected behaviour / response

Consequences - Stimuli that encourage or reduce the occurrence of the behaviour

Positive and negative reinforcement - Can modify behaviour and learning (operant conditioning)

Continuity of reinforcements - central to long-term associations
habit / response forming

Association of experience (positive/ negative reinforcement) with behavioural response - The students motivation for learning is dependant on the teacher’s response

Question 7

Pedagogical approach and how it is applied: how light behaviourism be used in teaching?

Answer 7

1. Questioning
   - teacher asks question (antecedent)
   - Student respond (behaviour)
   - Teacher offers feedback/rewards (consequences)
2. Direct instruction
   - Teacher-led
   - The student and teacher practice the new skill together
   - The teacher checks understanding and provides feedback

Question 8

What is mastery learning?

Answer 8

Mastery learning is a new approach to learning maths
It involves:
- The key instant recall facts approach which supports a solid grasp of key facts
- a blend of direct instruction and practice
- feedback provided by both teacher and peers

Question 9

What theorists/ experiments support behaviourism as an approach?

Answer 9

1. Pavlov’s dog study - Pavlov showed that dogs could be trained to salivate in response to a bell rather than food. Dogs learnt to associate the bell with food.
2. Watson’s little albert experiment - Watson showed that phobias can be created if punishers (things to be avoided) are associated with an object or animal. Little albert became afraid of rats because he learnt to associate rats with sudden loud noises
3. Skinners study of operant conditioning (skinner box) - Skinner showed the use of reinforcers, especially rewards, could shape the behaviour of rats and pigeons