Behaviour Learnt Through Conditioning

Principles of Behaviour Learned Through Conditioning

The theory of Conditioning, a cornerstone of the Behaviourist approach, suggests that behaviours are learned rather than innately programmed within us.
This learning process can take two primary forms: Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning.

Introduced by Ivan Pavlov, Classical Conditioning explains how an organism learns through association.
An example of this is Pavlov’s famous experiment with dogs, introducing a neutral stimulus (a bell) which was paired with an unconditioned stimulus (food) that elicited an unconditioned response (salivation). Over time, the neutral stimulus (bell) became a conditioned stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response (salivation) even when the unconditioned stimulus (food) wasn’t presented.

B.F. Skinner introduced Operant Conditioning, which is about learning through the consequences of behaviour.
Here, reinforcement (positive or negative) is used to increase the probability of a behaviour reoccurring, while punishment decreases the likelihood.
For example, a child might learn to complete their homework on time (behaviour) to earn extra TV time (positive reinforcement) or avoid scolding (negative reinforcement).

Nurture over nature: The principle of conditioning aligns with Behaviourism’s focus on the environmental causes of behaviour, opting away from inborn or genetic factors.
Empirical Evidence: Both types of conditioning are backed by experimental studies providing empirical evidence, adhering to the Behaviourist’s preference for scientific methodology.

Ignores mental processes: Critics argue that Behaviourism and the Conditioning theory largely disregard cognitive processes underlying behaviour.
Ethical issues: Particularly in case of Operant Conditioning, the use of punishments can be ethically questionable.
Overemphasis on observable behaviour: Critics argue that conditioning doesn’t account for behaviours that occur without external stimuli or reinforcement, such as insight learning.

Conditioning principles have been extensively used in behaviour modification programmes, such as Token Economy Systems in schools and mental health institutions.
Behavioural therapies, like systematic desensitisation and flooding for phobic disorders, are also based on these conditioning principles.