B.F Skinner was an American psychologist who was very manipulative in the field of psychology. As a behaviorist, Skinner came propounded the theory of operant conditioning a notion that behavior is determined by its consequences either through positive reinforcements such as rewards or punishments which make it more or less probable that the behavior will reoccur for the second time. The theory was later named the theory of behaviorism. On the other hand, Edward Thorndike came up with the learning theory which represented the original S-R framework of behavioral psychology. Learning theory contended that learning is an outcome of associations created between the stimuli and responses.
a). Compare and Contrast the Two Theorists that You Have Chosen.
One similarity between B.F Skinner and E.L Thorndike’s theories is that both theories are able to recognize that consequences as a result of behaviors have a direct effect on conditioning human behavior. The second similarity between the two theorists is that Thorndike’s trial and error theory was basically an antecedent to Skinner’s operant conditioning theory. The third similarity is that one major tenent of both stands is that the frequency of a given behavior is increased only if it is followed by positive results and on the other hand decreased if it is followed by negative results. The fourth similarity found in the two theories is that both can cross paths in an effort to positively reinforce an individual for a desirable behavior. The fifth similarity between the two theorists is that both propounded the theories based on how to condition human behaviors.
Even though the two theories have many similarities, they also have some differences for example, in Skinner’s theory, there is a probability that a particular behavior is likely to reoccur based on a reinforcer rather than whether the stimulus is either negative or positive. On the other hand, Thorndike’s learning theory is based basically on both reinforcements and punishments which could be stimulating.
b). Discuss the Two Theorist’ Viewpoint with Regard to Nature/Nurture Issue
Nature versus nurture deliberation has been one of the oldest philosophical matters within the field of psychology. Nurture involves all the environmental variables that affect who exactly we are as well as our early childhood experiences, how we as humans were brought up, our social associations and the kind of cultures surrounding us. On the other hand, nature includes the biological information that impacts child development and learning. Skinner argued that the behaviorist theory is when both negative and positive reinforcements are employed to obtain the desired outcome (Blackman and Derek, 68).
During the nature versus nurture debate, he supported that nurture could be commonly employed in a classroom where teachers use either consequences or rewards to motivate their students to succeed. Skinner believed that the nurture style behavior was the main reason for language development among young children. His opinions were that children were rewarded for the most appropriate use of language and either punished or lack of action completely for the inappropriate use of language. Children were not actually learning a language, but instead, they were getting some knowledge about rewards and consequences through the behaviorist theory. Skinner supported the idea that children learn the language as a result of the influence of the environment. On the other hand, Skinner also argued that nature influences a person’s growth and development for a given period of time (Skinner and Burrhus Frederic, 82).
Unlike Skinner, Edward Thorndike opposed the idea that learning should reflect nature which at that point in time was the main thought of developmental scientists. As an alternative, Edward Thorndike thought that schooling could improve upon nature. Unlike several other psychologists during his time, he decided to take a statistical approach to education by collecting qualitative data intended to assist the teachers and educators take care of the practical educational issues. His theory was an association philosophy as several theories were during that time.
Thorndike believed that the relationship between the stimulus and response was solidified by a reward. Moreover, this theorist believed that motivation was a very important consideration in learning. The introduction of the law of effect introduced the association between punishers and reinforcers. Thorndike claims that behaviorism argues that all human behavior can be explained through learning through the nurture side of nature/nurture debate. Edward Thorndike, therefore, sums everything up in his Law of Effect that any behavior followed by pleasant consequences is likely to be repeated and any behavior followed by undesirable consequences is likely to be stopped.
c). Discuss how their Theories Influence the Adult’s Roles in Caring for Children
Skinners theory of conditioning has played a major role in the development and growth of a child by influencing the adults’ roles in caring for them. This theory enables the adults to condition the child and make him or her to learn and adopt some behaviors. As we are all aware, every aspect of a child’s progress through life starts with their genetic makeup which is greatly impacted by the parent figure in the child’s life. Adults including parents select the climate which the child will grow up in. One way adults dictate the establishment of the young children through discipline. The methods and means used by an adult when disciplining the children can greatly or completely impact their life behaviorally, socially and also intellectually. Some of the methods employed by the parents may effectively keep a child in the right track but may have adverse effects in the long term.
Some of the parental disciplinary actions have similarly shown to injure the future development of the children socially. A good example of such a model that may cause undesirable effects on the future development of children is Skinner’s model of operant conditioning. In order to ensure that children are on track, adults, for example, the parents should adopt the most appropriate disciplinary measures that will guide their children to adopting good behaviors. Thorndike’s learning theory on the other hand also has greatly influenced the adult’s roles in caring for their children as it leads to the establishment of operant conditioning within behaviorism.
The theory allows adults to learn from the consequences of some behaviors. Thorndike’s three basic laws of learning to prepare the adult to take up the responsibility of caring for the children, for example, the law of effect ensures that the kind of teaching used by the adults should be very satisfactory and pleasing. This theory also ensures that the educators are in a position to obey the tastes and interests of the children in order to ensure that they are well taken care of (Olson and Matthew, 196).
d). Explore how their Theories Influence Children’s Development
Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning influences a child’s development by stressing the role of reinforcement in conditioning. This theory emphasizes the effect that rewards and punishments for a given behavior can have on an individual’s future actions. Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning proves that behavior is a learned response. When a child performs well by completing his or her duties on time, he or she is given some rewards while if they fail to complete their tasks on time, they are punished. Rewards will lead to the occurrence of the same behavior by the student thus playing an important role in the development of a child. As a result of punishments, there is a likelihood that the child will not repeat the same behavior of failing to complete the tasks on time since it attracts punishments. Operant conditioning makes it possible for the child to develop since their peers reward them for doing an excellent job with some prizes such as candy.
Thorndike’s theory of learning also played an important role in children’s development by allowing them to learn by themselves rather than being taught by their teachers and instructors. He made this possible through the development of the three basic laws of effect. Thorndike’s theory concluded that reward is one of the most effective motivators than punishment and thus stressed that the satisfaction should immediately come after an achievement. By doing so, a child will be able to develop since he or she will realize that performing well has some rewards while performing poorly has some punishments. Through Thorndike’s laws of learning and its impacts, children are in a position to gain some knowledge through trial and error method, for example, walking and standing. This has greatly contributed to a child’s development (Walker and Stephen, 89).
Works Cited
Blackman, Derek E. Operant conditioning: an experimental analysis of behaviour. Routledge, 2017: 63-77.
Olson, Matthew H. Introduction to theories of learning. Routledge, 2015: 180-204.
Skinner, Burrhus Frederic. Verbal behavior. BF Skinner Foundation, 2014: 89-97.
Walker, Stephen. Learning theory and behaviour modification. Routledge, 2017: 85-89.
