Writing 2

Behaviorism

Classic Conditioning

This concept was developed by a Russian Psychologist Ivan Pavlov (1849- 1936).

	Classical conditioning is a type of learning which based on the association of a stimulus that does not ordinarily elicit a particular response with another stimulus that does elicit the response.                         (Papalia, Feldman, & Olds 2007)

According to this definition, the most important point of classic conditioning is association. It means that if two stimuli repeatedly experienced they will become associated.

This can be very applicable to a lesson. For example; if a teacher is well prepared for the lesson, use effective teaching aids and deliver the lesson effectively. Students will be very motivated; therefore both teaching and learning will be very effective and meaningful.

On the other hand, if the explanation is not clear and the teacher always uses chalk and board or  gives difficult task or more homework, students will dislike the subject as well as the teacher.

Types of stimulus and response

A stimulus is an observable environmental event that has a potential to exert control over a behavioural response. A response is an over behaviour by a learner. Stimulus will influence the behaviour and stimulus will produce the response.

In classical conditioning there are two types of stimulus and responses. They are unconditioned stimulus, conditioned stimulus, unconditioned response and conditioned response

 Stimulus 

      •         Unconditioned stimulus

 This is a stimulus that can produce the response without any learning.

•         Conditioned stimulus

 Conditioned stimulus acquired the ability to produce the response because it was paired (associated) with the unconditioned stimulus.

 •         Response

•          Unconditioned response

• This is the unlearned or inborn reaction to the unconditioned stimulus.

•          Conditioned response

• When a response is produced by the conditioned stimulus, it is referred to as the conditioned response

Operant conditioning

Operant or instrumental conditioning is a form of learning in which the consequences of behaviour lead to changes in the probability that the behaviour will occur.

“Behavior that brings about a satisfying effect (reinforcement) is apt to be performed again, whereas behavior that brings about negative effect (punishment) is apt to be suppressed.”

                                                                                                         (Morris & Maisto, 2001) 

Operant conditioning is related with reinforcements and punishments.

Reinforcements- Positive and negative -to increase positive behaviour 

Punishments- Positive and negative - to avoid or discourage negative or disruptive behaviour. 

Teachers looking to use behavioral techniques to reinforce learning are more likely to use operant conditioning techniques. Operant conditioning involves punishments and rewards. This could be done quite simply by a teacher offering a reward (for example, praise) for a job well done or punishment (homework) for failure to do well. Classical conditioning may not be used as directly, but often can work along with operant conditioning to reinforce learning. For instance, if the overall tone of a teacher's classroom is one of praise and enjoyment in learning, the student will associate this pleasure with the specific class and will be more likely to attend.

Students who have experienced threatening and fearful situations in the classroom can have difficulty in learning. This may be due to early experiences in the school, example giving a tough exam. Even when she is older, the student may have autonomic responses, such as sweating and increased heart rate, when simply thinking about taking an exam or when faced with difficult math problems. In the classroom, teachers can be aware of the effects of classical conditioning on test anxiety and create learning and test environment that reinforces a feel of calm and focus. When a student takes tests in a low pressure, positive environment over time, the classically conditioned response will become disappear.

Therefore, by using classical and specially operant conditioning (reinforcements and punishments), students behavior can be conditioned in the classroom to foster the learning and moderate the behavior.