Behavioral learning theory (developed by two theorists, B.F. Skinner and Ivan Pavlov)

·        Operant conditioning by B.F.Skinner in 1953

·        Classical conditioning by Ivan Pavlov in 1920s

Definition: learning is exhibited by a change in behavior where environment plays a big role. Contiguity and reinforcement is central to explain the learning process and conditioning enables the acquisition of new behavior.

Contiguity: Association of events because of repeating pairs

Operant conditioning by B.F. Skinner in 1953: A voluntary action in which the behavior strengthens or weakens by consequence or Antecedents

·         Consequences: Events that follow an action.

·         Antecedents: Events that precede an action

Types of responses or operants

1.    Neutral operants: responses from the environment that neither increase nor decrease the probability of a behavior being repeated.

2.    Reinforcers: Responses from the environment that increase the probability of a behavior being repeated. Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.

a.    Positive reinforcement: consequence which strengthens the behavipur by adding a positive stimulus immediately after the behavior has occurred

b.    Negative reinforcement: consequence which strengthen the behavior by removing a negative stimulus immediately after the behavior has occurred

3.     Punishers: Response from the environment that decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior

Below table shows the consequence with the effect on behavior and what it involves for an organism

Consequence	What it involves	Effect on behavior
Positive reinforcement	Presenting something the organism likes	Strengthened
Negative reinforcement	Removing something the organism doesn’t like	Strengthened
Punishment	Presenting something the organism doesn’t like	Weakened

Classical conditioning by Ivan Pavlov in 1920s: Development of automatic response / behavior due to the association of two stimuli

Three stages in classical conditioning

Stage 1: Before conditioning:  the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produces an unconditioned response (UCR) in an organism. This stage also involves another stimulus which has no affect on a person and is called the neutral stimulus (NS).

 Example a perfume (UCS) could create a response of happiness or desire (UCR).

Stage 2: During Conditioning: During this stage a stimulus which produces no response (i.e. neutral) is associated with the unconditioned stimulus at which point it now becomes known as the conditioned stimulus (CS)

Example perfume (UCS) might be associated with a specific person (CS).

Stage 3: After Conditioning: Now the conditioned stimulus (CS) has been associated with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to create a new conditioned response (CR)

For example a person (CS) who has been associated with nice perfume (UCS) is now found attractive (CR).

Meanings  

·         Stimulus: event that activates behavior.

·         Responses: observable reaction to a stimuli

·       Respondents: responses (generally automatic or involuntary) elicited by specific stimuli such as fear, increased muscle tension, salivation, or sweating (related to classical conditioning)

References

http://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html

http://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html

http://gem.mnu.edu.mv/file.php/247/Behavioral_Learning_Theories.pdf

http://gem.mnu.edu.mv/file.php/247/Behavioural_Learning_Theory_-Reading_1_part_1_.pdf