Behaviourist and Social Learning - 2452 Words

With reference to chosen theory of learning (behaviourist, social learning) discuss its application to patient education in context of general nursing. It may be said; why is psychology significant in nursing care and why do we use learning theories to assist in patient care? Well according to Walker et al (2007), in the caring profession nurses, spend most, if not all of their working lives interacting with other people. A key part of a nurse’s job is to promote healthful behaviour. When a patient is admitted to hospital it is often their physical illness that can cause a lot of emotional distress. This means gaining a better understanding of how people cope with illnesses whether acute or chronic. Understanding health psychology will†¦show more content†¦He deciphered that dogs like humans salivate (reflex response) when they see food; it is a natural physiological reflex response. However he also demonstrated that a signal such as using a bell (stimulus) just before he gave the dog food would eventually lead the dog to salivate at the sound of the bell even if there was no food present. Pavlov verified by pairing or associating another stimulus (the bell) with food he could train the dogs to salivate. This theory could then be applied to people as well. According to Richard et al (2007) it was found that pairing one stimulus with another stimulus could also provoke a reflexive response in people. This is also called a stimulus – response theory of learning. Operant conditioning according to Walker et al (2007) pg 86 refers to learning that involves changes in voluntary responses those over which we normally have conscious control. Operant conditioning was developed largely by B.F. Skinner (1974,1989). According to Bastable (2003) pg 57 chap 3 operant conditioning focuses on the behaviour of the organism and reinforcement that occurs after the response. A reinforcer is a stimulus or event applied after a response that strengthens the probability that the response will be performed again. Skinner (1974) suggested that giving positive reinforcement i.e. (reward) greatly enhances be haviour and the likelihood that a response will be repeated in a similar circumstance. A second way to increase behaviour is by applyingShow MoreRelatedThe Learning ( Or Behaviourist ) Approach1365 Words   |  6 PagesThe learning (or behaviourist) approach, at its core, is about how experience affects our behaviour and how we learn behaviours. This approach postulates that all humans are born as ‘blank slates’ and we become shaped by the environment that the person lives in. Behaviourism is concerned with the observable characteristics of humankind; their behaviour. This approach dismisses any internal workings because these workings are too subjective and difficult to observe; whereas observable behaviour canRead MoreHow Do the Major Theories of Child Development (Known as the ‘Grand Theories’) Explore the Importance of Social Experiences?1675 Words   |  7 PagesHow do the major theories of child development (known as the ‘grand theoriesâ€⠄¢) explore the importance of social experiences? Social experiences play a vital role in the development of children. Theories of child development have been created to help us to understand how children’s minds develop, taking into account the differences between cultures around the world. Some of these theories explore the possibility that children gain knowledge, develop new concepts and bridge new ideas through interactionRead MoreThe Behavioral Theory Of Depression1397 Words   |  6 Pagesin terms of it being like a ‘common cold’ of psychiatry, due to how frequently it is diagnosed. The behaviourist approach accentuates the significance of the environment in regards to determining an individual’s behaviour. To behaviourist theorists, our behaviour does not relate with our internal unconscious struggles or suppressions. However, psychologists in this field use ideologies of the learning theory to explain human behaviour. According to the behavioural theory, dysfunctional behaviour suchRead MoreThe B ehavioral Perspective And The Biological Perspective1306 Words   |  6 Pagesbehavioural, biological, cognitive, social, humanistic and finally, psychodynamic. This essay will focus on the behavioural perspective and the biological perspective. According to J Walker (2012) the behavioural perspective is based on behaviourism and is the study of observing behaviour when in certain contexts and events. The biological perspective however, explains behaviour by focusing on the function of the nervous system, genes and the brain. Behaviourists regard behaviour has a response andRead MorePsychology663 Words   |  3 Pagescompare two approaches to health and social care. Chose two different approaches and compare each theory to a health care setting and also a social care setting explain how it works in health care compared to social care. Example of behaviourist in health and social care – classical conditioning can be used in a hospital to help with an individuals fear by creating a hierarchy of fears starting with their least fear to the most feared. Whereas in a social care setting such as a school or nurseryRead MoreThe Study Of Human Learning1462 Words   |  6 PagesThe study of human learning is an interesting yet complex topic, with three major theories contributing to explaining how and why children develop intellectually. These theories are: Behaviourism, social learning and cognitivism. Each theory is underpinned by its own set of ideals, concepts and influential theorists and the development of these key theories has informed the teaching and learning styles adopted in schools today. The different theories present conflicting explanations that attemptRead MoreWhy Learning Is The Core Of The Education System1730 Words   |  7 PagesLearning is the core of the education system and one of the most important activities needed for a child’s development. Philosophers and psychologists such as B.F Skinner (1948) have†¯been working for many years†¯trying to understand how learning occurs and how teaching styles can have an effect on said learning. There are many different learning theories†¯which provide an†¯understanding†¯on how†¯students absorb, process and retain information†¯during learning. Due to the observational and experimentalRead MorePsychological Approaches Of Health And Social Care Service Provision1215 Words   |  5 Pagespsychological approaches to health and social care. It will compare two psychological approaches to health and social care service provision. It will also evaluate two psychological approaches to health and social care service provision. As I explained in (p1-explanation of the principal psychological perspectives), the behaviourist approach states that we are born at a blank state, therefore all of our behaviour are as a response to a stimulus in our environment. Behaviourists use two types of processes toRead More1.Is There A Link Between Learning And Behaviour? How Might1559 Words   |  7 Pages1. Is there a link between learning and behaviour? How might it be explained? ‘Learning’ is typically used everyday all over the world, especially in education. However, within the field of educational psychology, ‘learning’ is actually refered to as a specific term. According to educational psychologist, there are many different types of learning. Some examples are, observational learning also refered to as natural learning; where the ‘student’ simply learns how to do things such as walk andRead MoreWhy Is Human Being Learn?1461 Words   |  6 PagesPlato stated that education and learning should continue until the age of 40 in B.C. 385. Many would now fell that he put too early a date on its closure. However the whole of life is learning therefore education can have no endings (Lindeman, 1926: 181). Why human being learn has a basic response; change is all around us and it affects everything on the world. To keep step with changes, people need to learn to keep up with change. As Kolb (1984) mentioned learning is people ’s primary mode of adaptation