fenn rodhesooylearningtheories
TRANSCRIPT
A Behaviorist View of Learning
Using instrumental conditioningUsing instrumental conditioning
Presenters
• Dean Fenn• Melissa Rodhe• Jill Sooy
Purpose of In-service
• Provide professional development in behaviorist views of learning
• Provide practical techniques for working with different situations
• Establish greater emphasis on behavioral objectives
• Ongoing sessions• To monitor implementation• Discuss practical ideas
Reason for the change Our district believes behaviorist methods will Our district believes behaviorist methods will
lead to better managed classrooms and overall lead to better managed classrooms and overall improvements in the education of our studentsimprovements in the education of our students
Instrumental Conditioning
“The major problems of the world today can be solved only if we improve our understanding of human behavior”
(Skinner, 1974)
Fenn, Rodhe, Sooy – Learning Theories - 2010
Instrumental Conditioning The behaviorist view called instrumental The behaviorist view called instrumental
conditioning is based on a theory that humans conditioning is based on a theory that humans and animals behave in ways that provide and animals behave in ways that provide pleasant consequences or avoid unpleasant pleasant consequences or avoid unpleasant onesones..
Edward Thorndike In 1898 Thorndike proposed a connection In 1898 Thorndike proposed a connection
between experience and the strengthening or between experience and the strengthening or weakening of behavioral responsesweakening of behavioral responses
Thorndike’s law of effect stated responses to a Thorndike’s law of effect stated responses to a situation that are followed by satisfaction are situation that are followed by satisfaction are strengthened and responses that are followed strengthened and responses that are followed by discomfort are weakenedby discomfort are weakened
B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning
Based on Thorndike’s findings, Skinner’s theory Based on Thorndike’s findings, Skinner’s theory showed that organisms choose to respond to showed that organisms choose to respond to situations in a way they believe will lead to a situations in a way they believe will lead to a desired stimulus or eventdesired stimulus or event
This desired stimulus or event is called a This desired stimulus or event is called a reinforcerreinforcer
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Use of reinforcers Using reinforcement does work, however Using reinforcement does work, however
undesirable behaviors can be reinforced as wellundesirable behaviors can be reinforced as well Misbehaviors may get teachers or classmates Misbehaviors may get teachers or classmates
attention when productive behavior does notattention when productive behavior does not Teachers must be careful to not reinforce Teachers must be careful to not reinforce
behaviors they are trying to reducebehaviors they are trying to reduce
Punishment Punishment has been shown to be effective in Punishment has been shown to be effective in
reducing inappropriate behaviorsreducing inappropriate behaviors Effective forms of punishment includeEffective forms of punishment include Verbal reprimandsVerbal reprimands RestitutionRestitution Restitutional overcorrectionRestitutional overcorrection
PunishmentIneffective forms of punishment Ineffective forms of punishment Physical: Physical: Experts agree that physical punishment for school age Experts agree that physical punishment for school age
children can lead to undesirable behaviors and is illegal in almost children can lead to undesirable behaviors and is illegal in almost every caseevery case
Psychological:Psychological: This form of punishment can damage the self- This form of punishment can damage the self-esteem and emotional well being of a studentesteem and emotional well being of a student
Extra WorkExtra Work Missing recessMissing recess Out of school suspensionOut of school suspension
Have all been shown not to be effective in changing behaviorHave all been shown not to be effective in changing behavior
Criticisms of reinforcement and punishment
Reinforcement is briberyReinforcement is bribery Reinforcement leads to dependence on concrete Reinforcement leads to dependence on concrete
rewardsrewards Punishment reduces self esteemPunishment reduces self esteem Reinforcing one student for being good Reinforcing one student for being good
encourages others to be badencourages others to be bad Eliminating a problem behavior does not Eliminating a problem behavior does not
eliminate underlying cause of behavioreliminate underlying cause of behavior
Thinking about classroom behaviors, would you like
your classroom to look like
Or like this
Examples of Using Reinforcement to
Desirable Behaviors
• Setting up desired behaviors up front• Shaping complex behaviors• Learners gain more by changing behavior• Explicit response-consequence
contingencies• Reinforcers that are truly reinforcing
Strategies For Undesirable Behaviors
• Noncontingent reinforcement• Reinforcing other incompatible behaviors • Appropriate forms of punishment
• Inform learners ahead of time what behaviors will be punished• Describe unacceptable behaviors in concrete terms• Explain why the behavior is unacceptable• Administer punishment right after behavior• Be consistent!• Teach and reinforce more appropriate behaviors
What’s in it for you?• Because most behavior is learned according to the
principles of instrumental conditioning, learning theory can help teachers figure out how to change behavior.
• If behavior can be learned, it can be unlearned as long
as the right steps are taken and the right reinforcements or punishments are given.
• Student learning will increase due to more attention on task and less on behavior issues.
• More productive and peaceful environment for all
Conclusion• Try working these ideas into your
classrooms and throughout the school• Further sessions for follow-up and more
discussion
“A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be
the best one can do under the circumstances.
The real mistake is to stop trying.
(B.F. Skinner)