Learning theories Behaviouralist.

Points about Behaviouralist theory

My daughter `behaving' for the camera

Pluses

·         Based on scientific objective & measurable research

·         Been around for a long time

·         Used to train animals effectively

·         Possible good for routine tasks (like times tables, how to try your shoes)

·         Used widely in the general community (like sticker charts/reward charts for kids) Some would argue they achieve good results with these methods

·         Greatly influenced education practices (? Is this neutral)

·         Easily understood by the general pop (and applied)

     May explain phobias and aversions to certain things, which can become deeply ingraiined into our brain we can not recall the original incident but respond in a particular manner anyway

·         Explains addictive behaviours to a great extent (however ignoring the initial/intrinsic factors involved in same)

Minuses

·         One theory fits all people ignoring personality, individuality, self and ego

·         Treats humans as animals suggesting that given the `right’ stimuli/reward/punishment we will perform in a predictable manner

·         I wonder how effective it is in that once the reward is removed is the learning embedded?

·         Does it allow the learner to apply the learning to other behaviours or situations? i.e. problem solving, experimenting, association, free thinking, creating etc

·         Dependant on ensuring the reward/reinforcement/punishment is desired (or not) by those within whom the behaviour is to be changed.

·         Encourages conformist behaviour (but is this desirable or not?)

Interesting

·         Does social behaviour also work on this theory in that groups include/exclude members based on behaviours? (For example Grade 9 girls can exclude members for not wearing the `right’ clothes or for a slip of tongue) Maybe when the majority of the class behaves this way and are rewarded does this put pressure on those not conforming.

·         Maybe it is a major aspect of parenting

·         May help to explain why people revert to a `default’ mode when confronted in that they can/may revert to childhood responses/behaviours in stressful times as these are embedded in our limbic system (Dr Wendy MacIntosh, RN, PhD 2006)

·         Heavily used in the gaming industry in that the gamer moves up a level, evolves etc and gaming can be quite addictive