The behaviouristic approach describes learning as a connection between stimulus and response.

This approach to learning emphasizes that behaviour begins with reflexes i.e., natural responses and new behaviors result from the acquisition of new bonds of stimulus and response through experiences.

The major tenets of the behaviouristic approach are as under:

1. Learning brings about changes in behaviour.

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2. Learning takes place if environmental conditions are arranged appropriately to generate changes.

3. The resultant behavioural changes are objectively observable.

The important behaviouristic approach to learning is postulated by B.F. Skinner

Concept of behaviouristic approach to learning

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Behaviorists were greatly influenced by the work of the Russian Psychologist named Ivan Paulo. They believed that overt behaviour was determined by a complex system of independent stimulus-response connection, mode more complex through learning. Thorndike, Watson and Skinner, gave more emphasis on objectivity in behaviour.

Characteristics of Behaviour approach to learning

The behaviouristic approach has the following characteristics:

It believes in the objective study of behaviour animal and human being both (objectively observable behaviour).

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This approach considers environment more important than heredity in the determination of behaviour.

The chief method of learning is conditioning.

Conditioning is the key to the understanding of behaviors, which is composed of stimulus and response links.

According to it, one unit of knowledge gets associated with a new unit of knowledge by virtue of similarity, contrast or contiguity.