Group+7+-+Learning+Theories

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= =﻿ = =By Nicole, Kelli, Harmony, Lexy, and Allison =

= Summary = There are a few different learning theories such as behaviorism, personality theory, and social cognitive theory. Behaviorists believe in different learning experiences for individuals acquire different behaviors which lead to different personalities. They look to the environment to see what is reinforcing behavior. John Watson believed that if behavior could not be seen, then it could not be studied either. B.F. Skinner focused on what causes a person to do specific things and act certain ways. He was interested in how aspects of one’s personality are learned. Different behaviorists have different approaches. Skinner tries to figure out exactly what is happening. He wants to know what conditions reinforce certain behaviors. For B.F. skinner, the point is to specify the behavior and then find out what causes it. He believes behavior can be changed using rewards and punishments. Skinner has applied techniques to a multiple range of behaviors. Such as teaching handicapped people to dress themselves and teaching pigeons to play table tennis. Therapies are also provided to contain people with behavioral problems. There are multiple ways certain kinds of behaviors can be explained. Personality is acquired not only by reinforcement of behavior but also by imitation, which was argued by Albert Bandura. Observational learning happens when a person acquires a new behavior by watching the actions of another. If you are teaching a child how to hit a baseball you could reinforce that child every time it is done correctly. In order for the child to acquire the behavior right and more quickly though, you would show them the correct way on how it is done. People direct their own behavior by their choice of models. This means that you are more likely to learn new behaviors from the people you choose to hang out with rather than who your parents choose for you. Our view of ability to succeed is a way that governs our behavior. You decided whether to do certain things or not. You also develop outcome expectations and so if they stay positive then you will keep trying. Learning theories focus on concrete actions that can be tested and measured. These learning theories help explain different personality types.

=Terms = Behaviorism: --Example: Jimmy's actions are studied more than his thoughts because his behaviors are what indicates who he is.
 * Belief that the proper subject matter of psychology is objectively observable behavior--and nothing else
 * A theory of psychology that focuses on only behaviors that are observed

Contingencies of Reinforcement: --Example: Johnny receives a gold star after getting 100% on his spelling test. Becky is given a timeout because she got all of her spelling words wrong.
 * The occurrence of rewards or punishments following particular behaviors
 * When a behavior is followed by something rewarding or a certain punishment

=Links = Discusses what Observational Learning is and how to apply it/the effect it can have: Observational Learning Gives a definition and examples of Bandura's theory: SOCIAL COGNITIVE APPROACH TO PERSONALITY: ALBERT BANDURA Gives information about Bandura's Cognitive Theory in children:Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory

= ﻿Key Concepts = <span style="color: #177852; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="color: #208d62; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ ﻿ Behaviorism <span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--Only behaviors that can be seen were said to be important. The behaviors that cannot be seen are not able to be studied. The different behaviors that a person acquires will shape their personality. Behaviorism emphasizes one’s actions instead of one’s thoughts. Behavior can be explained without focusing on mental states and consciousness.

<span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Applied Behaviorism <span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--Behaviorism states that people differ in their learning, and this is what shapes their personalities. This can be observed in individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., whom used behaviorism to determine what the problems were with the world and how to rally people together to get them solved.

<span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">B.F. Skinner <span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--He had a major impact on personality theories. His concerns were focused more toward what causes a person’s behavior, rather than personality structure. One of his main interests was how the aspects of one’s personality are learned. Skinner developed the concept of operant conditioning. He also denied that a mind was a separate part of the body.

<span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">John Watson <span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--A behaviorist who believed that the proper subject matter of psychology should be observational behavior above all else.

<span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Contingencies of Reinforcement <span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--Following certain behaviors, one will receive a reward or a punishment. Skinner would study the conditions that reinforce or punish the behaviors. The contingencies of reinforcement are the basic causes of his or her behavior.

<span style="color: #25886f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory <span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--In Bandura’s theory, he notes the connection of the interaction, or reciprocal determinism, which occurs among the observing individual, the behavior of the individual, and the environment in which the behavior occurs.

<span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Observational Learning <span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">-- A person acquires a new behavior by watching the actions of another person. This is also known as imitation. In this kind of learning an observer watches someone perform a behavior and is later able to reproduce it closely. For example, watching somone else do an unfamiliar dance step and afterward being able to do the dance step yourself.

<span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reciprocal determinism <span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--This was developed by Albert Bandura. This occurs among the observing individual, the behavior of that individual, and the environment in which the behavior occurs. It helps explain and emphasizes that the environment is not the only thing that influences behavior.

<span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Self-efficacy <span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">-- A concept that governs our behavior is our view of our ability to succeed. You decide whether to go out by assessing the environment which would be factors such as the weather, the effects of your own past behavior, parents' current state of mind and your potnetial date's recent behavior. This leads to the development of an expectancy of success. Self-efficacy beliefs determine how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.

<span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Albert Bandura <span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--He argued that personality is acquired not only by direct reinforcement of behavior but also by observational learning, or imitation. He believed that much of a young child's individual behavior and personality is acquired by exposure to specific everyday models. In his view, people direct their own behavior by their choice models.

<span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Bandura's Cognitive-Personal Factors <span style="color: #108e6e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--The factors are our beliefs, expectations, values, intentions, and social roles. It also has to do with our emotional makeup and biological and genetic influences. These are some of the personal factors of Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory that the book has described for us.

<span style="color: #208d62; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Bandura's Environmental Factors <span style="color: #208d62; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--Some of the factors that are included in the environmental factors are our social, political, and cultural influences. Something else that is involved with the environmental factors is our personal learning experiences.

<span style="color: #208d62; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Richard Walters <span style="color: #208d62; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">--Albert Bandura's colleague who, along with Bandura, argued that personality is acquired not only by direct reinforcement of behavior but also by observational learning. He believed that much of a young child's individual behavior and personality is shaped by exposure to specific everyday models.

The affects of Skinner's behaviorlist approach --His approach has become very popular among other psychologists. Followers of Skinner have applied the techniques to a wide range of behaviors. By applying these techniques, many people have been able to do things from teaching pigeons to play table tennis to teaching mentally handicapped people to dress themselves and take part in simple activities. Therapists have also been able to help people with specific behavioral problems, such as phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Advantages of Learning Theories of Personalities --Unlike, psychoanalytic theories that focus on the influence of childhood experiences, irrational thoughts, and unconscious forces, learning theories of personality focus on concrete actions that can be tested and measured, giving the learning theories an advantage. There are critics, though, that don't believe learning theories explain personality, nor do they give enough attention to the influence of genetic factors, emotions, and childhood experiences. = = = Review Questions =

Our social roles are an example of what factor from the Social Cognitive Theory?
A. Cognitive-Personal Factors B. Behaviors C. Environmental Factors D. Socialism

What theorist developed the Social Cognitive Theory? A. Sigmund Freud B. Albert Bandura C. B.F. Skinner D. John Watson Our view of our ability to succeed is called... ﻿A. Outcome Expectations B. Reciprocal Determinism C. Self-efficiency D. Observational Learning Contingencies of reinforcement is... ﻿A. The occurrence of rewards or punishments following particular behaviors B. An inherited idea, based on the experiences of one's ancestors, which shapes one's perception of the world of the world C. The belief that the proper subject matter of psychology is objectively observable behavior and nothing else D. The interaction that occurs among the observing individual

What does it mean when a person acquires a new behavior but also by observational learning, or imitation? A. Observational Learning B. Reciprocal Determinism C. Outcome Expectation D. Cognitive Factors

=__**﻿**__ Images = __** :**__ B.F. Skinner's Box