Explain the behaviouristic view of learning with suitable examples.

The behavioristic view of learning, also known as behaviorism, is a psychological theory that emphasizes observable behaviors and the effects of external stimuli on those behaviors. This perspective focuses on how behaviors are acquired through interactions with the environment, particularly through reinforcement and conditioning. Behaviorism rejects the emphasis on internal mental processes and instead emphasizes the role of external factors in shaping behavior. Let's explore this view of learning with suitable examples:

Key Concepts of Behaviorism:

1. Classical Conditioning:

   • Classical conditioning, proposed by Ivan Pavlov, involves learning associations between a neutral stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus to elicit a response.
   • Example: Pavlov's experiment with dogs where he paired the ringing of a bell (neutral stimulus) with the presentation of food (unconditioned stimulus) to eventually elicit salivation (unconditioned response). Over time, the bell alone (now a conditioned stimulus) could elicit salivation (now a conditioned response).

2. Operant Conditioning:

   • Operant conditioning, introduced by B.F. Skinner, focuses on how behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on their consequences (reinforcement or punishment).
   • Example: Skinner's Skinner Box experiments, where a rat learns to press a lever to receive a food pellet (positive reinforcement). The rat's behavior of pressing the lever increases due to the rewarding consequence of obtaining food.

Examples of Behavioristic View of Learning:

1. Language Acquisition:

   • Behaviorists believe that language acquisition occurs through reinforcement and imitation of correct linguistic behaviors.
   • Example: A child learns to say "thank you" after receiving praise or a treat for using polite language. The positive reinforcement strengthens the behavior of saying "thank you" in similar situations.

2. Academic Learning:

   • Behaviorism suggests that academic skills are acquired through repeated practice, reinforcement of correct responses, and shaping of behaviors.
   • Example: In a classroom setting, students learn multiplication tables through repeated practice (drill and practice) and receive praise or rewards for correct answers. Over time, their fluency in multiplication improves due to reinforcement.

3. Skill Development:

   • Behaviorism can explain skill acquisition by focusing on the role of reinforcement in shaping and strengthening desired behaviors.
   • Example: A basketball player improves shooting accuracy by receiving positive feedback (reinforcement) when they make successful shots during practice. The reinforcement encourages the player to continue practicing and refining their shooting technique.

4. Behavior Modification:

   • Behaviorism is applied in behavioral interventions to modify undesirable behaviors and promote desirable behaviors through reinforcement or punishment.
   • Example: A teacher uses a token economy system in the classroom where students earn tokens (reinforcement) for completing assignments or demonstrating positive behaviors. Tokens can be exchanged for rewards, encouraging students to engage in desired behaviors.

Critiques of Behaviorism:

• Behaviorism has been criticized for oversimplifying complex cognitive processes and ignoring the role of internal mental representations, emotions, and individual differences in learning.
• Critics argue that behaviorism does not adequately account for the richness and creativity of human learning experiences.

Conclusion:

The behavioristic view of learning highlights the importance of observable behaviors and external factors in shaping learning and behavior. Through classical and operant conditioning principles, behaviorism provides insights into how behaviors are acquired, modified, and maintained based on environmental stimuli and consequences. While behaviorism has limitations, particularly in explaining higher-order cognitive processes, it remains a foundational theory in understanding basic learning principles and applications in education and behavioral interventions.