Behavioral Theories of
Learning
Behavioral Learning Theory
O Behavioral learning theory- focus on the ways in
which pleasurable or unpleasant consequences of
behavior change individuals’ behavior over time
O Behavioral theories of learning focus on:
O Reinforcers and punishers
O Observable actions
O Environment over genetics
O A common criticism of behavioral methods is that
they can result in decreased interest in learning
when rewards are unavailable
Behavioral Theorists
O Pavlov: Classical Conditioning (pairing a neutral
stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus and gains
that power of that stimulus to cause a response)
O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo7jcI8fAuI
Behavioral Theorists
O Skinner: Operant Conditioning (the use of pleasant
and unpleasant consequences to change behavior)
O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtfQlkGwE2U&featur
e=relmfu
Behavioral Theorists
O Watson: “Little Albert” experiment
O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhW2zoeW7g&feature=related