Understanding Behaviorism: Stimulus, Response, and Reinforcement

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Behaviorism is the process of associating a stimulus with response that produces a new behavior. Reinforcement produces a change in behavior. The reinforcement may be negative or positive. Both reinforcements may cause the behavior to repeat itself even though negative reinforcements decreases the chances of the behavior repeating itself. When the learning has occurred, there has been a change in behavior. Tbe behaviorial techniques are used by teachers to promote desirable behavior as well as discourage bad behaviors. The strengths of using a behaviorism are that it is appropriate to use the behaviors to make behavioral; contracts, because it can bring about a preferred result with the use of punishment, reinforcement and extinction. The …show more content…

Cognitivism is a response to behaviorism where learners participate in their learning. The mind functions like a computer where information is the input. The mind stores the information for the time being and the information is stored to retrieve later on. Learning is shaped by getting strategies and knowledge and attitudes, called schemas. The cognitivism view of learning is teacher-centered, and information is presented to achieve the most effective learning. Cognitivism is used in problem-solving where there are complex concepts, and the parts must be broken down, Prior knowledge creates ideas and concepts which encourage a stronger comprehension. The strengths of cognitivism are the learning information is processed in short-term memory and then stored away in long term memory. When bits of information are broken down, learners are not overwhelmed with information because they have time to process smaller bits. A weakness of cognitivism is it is hard to adapt to changes in what has been learned and …show more content…

The attitudes, beliefs and experiences of the student guide the intake of information, There are two forms of constructivism, social which is when others in a learner’s life put meaning to information. The students develop meaning and understanding on their own but depend on the interaction with classmate or teachers. Cognitive constructivism is the second form which is constructed by assimilation or accommodation. Assimilation is associated with a schema, whereas accommodation does not match the schema. The schema must be changed to accommodate this conflict. Activities are relevant to the learner and real world based. The weaknesses of constructivism are that experiences and attitudes vary with the learner. Constructivism is utilized when the learner takes control over their learning. Students have an understanding fo the importance of the problem, comprehend the relevance, and construct knowledge through their experiences. It tends to be more important to focus on the whole of the meaning rather than the individual

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