Behaviorism of Children

 

Introduction 

Behaviorism is mostly interested in elements of human behavior that can be seen and measured. Behaviorist learning theories highlight the resulting behavioral changes in defining behavior.

Stimulus-Response

Stimulus-response associations that the student has made. According to behaviorists, actions—rather than ideas or feelings—are the proper subject of study since only behaviors that can be directly observed are worthy of investigation. The behaviorist hypothesis does not use the brain's internal mechanisms to explain abnormal behavior. Instead, it makes the assumption that all conduct is the product of learned habits and makes an effort to explain how these habits come to be. In addition to maintaining that all behaviors can be unlearned and replaced by new ones, behaviorists who assume that human behavior is taught also maintain that when a behavior changes from being acceptable to unacceptable, it may be replaced. The rewarded response is a crucial component of this theory of learning. For learning to occur, the intended response needs to be rewarded (Parkway & Hass, 2000).

"The two main founders of behaviorist methods of learning are John B. Watson (1878–1958) and B. F. Skinner (1804–1990)."

Watson's central claim was that conclusions about human development must be based on the examination of overt behavior rather than theories about subconscious motivations or latent cognitive processes (Shaffer, 2000). Watson's theory of learning drew some inspiration from Ivan Pavlov's (1849–1936) research.

Children's Cognitive Behavior Therapy 

CBT is an empirically supported therapy that aids kids in managing emotional difficulties. CBT is useful for treating anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems in children because therapists use coping skill-teaching strategies.

Operant Conditioning: 

Creating Behavior in Children

For his studies on the process of learning known as classical conditioning, Pavlov was widely recognized. Learning that takes place when a neutral stimulus, or unassociated signal, is linked to a stimulus that inherently generates a response, like an innate behavior or reflex, is referred to as classical conditioning. Dogs began to salivate just before they were fed, according to Pavlov. He found that the dogs will salivate in response to the sound of the bell alone, which is a conditioned stimulus, when the bell is rung repeatedly during feedings.

Rewards and Positive Reinforcement

Skinner thought that, similar to a chemical process, human behavior could be predicted. He held that people are shaped by their environment, not the other way around. Building upon Watson's fundamental stimulus-response model, Skinner created operant conditioning, a more thorough theory of conditioning. The foundation of his paradigm was the idea that while unsatisfactory reactions are not conditioned, rewarding ones are. Rewarding a desirable behavior or an act that approaches it is known as operant conditioning. According to Skinner (1972, 74), "the things we call pleasant have an energizing or strengthening effect on our behavior." Skinner concluded that both humans and animals will suppress activities that have bad outcomes and repeat those that have positive ones, based on his research with animals (Shaffer, 2000). A rat is likely to press a bar again if he presses it once and gets to eat a pellet. The food pellet was characterized by Skinner as a positive reinforcer and the bar-pressing reaction as operant, or the learned voluntary response. Conversely, punishments are actions that stifle a reaction and make it less likely that it will happen again. The rat would stop acting in that way if it had been shocked each time it pressed the bar. According to Skinner's theory, each person's distinct operant learning experiences shape the habits they form (Shaffer, 2000).

Negative Reinforcement

 Negative Reinforcement can be employed as a tactic to promote particular actions. Negative reinforcement can be defined as the promotion of particular actions through the elimination or avoidance of a bad consequence or stimulus. One illustration of a negative reinforcer is an alarm clock. You must awaken in order to put an end to the buzzing! Another illustration would be the buzzer devices that automakers install and which sound until you buckle up (Jordan, 2022).

Criticisms of behaviorism

It is possible to criticize behaviorism for being an unduly deterministic theory of human behavior that oversimplifies the complexity of psychological and mental processes that underlie human conduct. The behaviorist method has also come under fire for failing to take into consideration learning or behavioral modifications that take place in the absence of environmental cues. Finally, studies have demonstrated that there are variations in the universal application of conditioning principles; there is more to the relationship between stimulus and response than just a clear-cut, cause-and-effect one. The response is influenced by variables other than the stimuli. The inner workings of the mind must be taken into account in order to fully comprehend human behavior.

Conclusion

Children's behaviorism can be understood to learn more about how they learn and develop. Adults may help children develop healthy behaviors, emotional resiliency, and social skills by implementing behaviorism ideas into parenting, schooling, and therapy. A loving atmosphere that fosters children's development can be created by adopting a balanced approach that blends warmth and discipline.

      Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

  How can I use behaviorism strategies at home to promote my child's good behavior?

    

 Using behaviorist strategies, such as positive reinforcement, clear expectations, and offering incentives for excellent behavior, children can be encouraged to behave well.

 

 Is behaviorism appropriate for kids of all ages?

    

By tailoring tactics to each child's developmental stage and unique needs, behaviorism ideas can be applied to children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.

Can behaviorism principles be used in classroom settings?

 Absolutely. Behaviorism-based strategies, such as reinforcement and consequences, are commonly used in classrooms to manage behavior and create a conducive learning environment.