Behaviorism vs.

Cognitivism

Theories of Learning

By: Elva V. Gonzalez

The foundations of

Behaviorism were built on the work of Watson and B.F.Skinner,

and

Cognitivism were built on the work of Vygotsky, Dewey, Piaget and Bruner.

Behaviorism

a theory that it’s perspective

may be defined as a change of behavior as a result of experience-that can be

measured.

Cognitivism

a theory that it’s

perspective is a change in mental representations and

associations brought about by experiences.

How Does Learning Occur?

Behavior theories Determine which cues elicit the

desired responses. Arrange practice situations so

they will prompt elicit responses in a “natural” setting.

Arrange environmental conditions to enhance stimuli.

Focus on the design of the environment to optimize learning.

Use feedback (reinforcement) to modify behavior in the desired direction.

Cognitive theories Focus on the mental activities of

the learner. Acknowledge the processes of the

mental planning, goal-setting, and organizational strategies.

Stress over efficient processing strategies.

Make use of feedback (knowledge of feedback) to guide and support accurate mental connections.

Behaviorism and Cognitivism

are both a good way of teaching and learning

processes, however, there are some differences between

them which is very significant.

Control

Behaviorist: presentation of “scientifically” graded language items.

Cognitivist: grading, but not so “scientifically” controlled. Cognitive grading is also important, in terms of what the learner brings to the activity of learning.

Error

Behaviorist: should not be made at all.

Cognitivist: can be made, since through errors one can learn.

Exposure

Behaviorist: necessary, but in a linguistically controlled way.

Cognitivist: plenty, and it’s necessary.

Practice

Behaviorist: drills and drills, constant repetition is definitely necessary.

Cognitivist: is important, but rote learning and meaningless repetition is out.

Role of the Learner

Behaviorist: a passive recipient of planned instruction.

Cognitivist: an active processor of learning. One whose internal data processing mechanism operate.

Role of the Teacher

Behaviorist: one who teaches, plans, presents language items and exercises, makes students repeat drills and gives correct language forms.

Cognitivist: one who creates opportunities for learning to occur with the help of the learner’s data processing mechanism.

The Language Syllabus

Behaviorist: based on the structures and vocabulary of language presented systematically.

Cognitivist: could be less systematically presented structures and vocabulary, functions, notions, situations, and cognitive functions.

Grading of Items

Behaviorist: Strict, clear, step by step (lock-step method)

Cognitivist: no so definite, since the individual language learner is involved.

Behaviorism

Cognitivism

Behaviorism and Cognitivism are two learning theories that even

though they have their differences, both theories emphasize the role

that environmental conditions play in facilitating learning, as well as emphasis on the role of practice

with corrective feedback.

ReferencesAbbie Brown & Timothy D. Green (2006), The Essentials of Instructional Design.,

Pearson Education , Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey http://www.forerunner.com/forerunner/X0497_DeMar_Behaviorism.html

What is Behaviorism? By Kendra Van Wagner http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/f/behaviorism/htm

http://geocities.com/learningenviornments/learningenvironments.html

Linguistics Valleys: theory of Teaching: Behaviorism and Cognitivism http://linguisticsearch.blogspot.com/2006/12/theory-of-teachingbehaviorism.htm

Cognitive Theories of Learning http://www.personal/psu/edu/users/w/x/wxh139/cognitive_1.htm

Learning-Theories (2008) http://www.learning-theories.com/cognitive.html

1998-2008 Funderstanding http://funderstanding.com/content/behavirism