Module 6: Learners with Exceptionalities

OVERVIEW

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lessons, the students will be able to:

1. Explain Tolman’s purposive behaviorism

2. Explain Bandura’s social learning theory

3. Give specific concepts Tolman’s theory in teaching.

LET US EXPLORE

Activity 1.1

Solve Maze A Solve Maze B

1. How did you solve Maze A? What strategy did you use? (trial and error,
examined the maze before proceeding with your pen, etc)

2. Was it easier to solve maze B? Why?

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TOPIC: NEO-BEHAVIORISM: TOLMAN AND BANDURA

Working with maze makes people create mental maps of things they perceived.
These mental maps help them respond to other things or tasks later, especially if
they see the similarity. You may begin to respond with trial and error (behavioristic),
but later on your response becomes more internally driven (cognitive perspective).
This is what Neobehaviorism is about.

There are two theories reflecting neobehaviorism that stands out. Both theories
are influenced by behaviorism (which is focused on external elements in learning),
but their principles seem to also be reflective of the cognitive perspective (focused
on more internal elements).

TOLMAN’S PURPOSIVE BEHAVIORISM

Purposive behaviorism has also been referred to as Sign Learning Theory and is
often seen as he link between behaviorism and cognitive theory. Tolman believed
that learning is a cognitive process.

Cognitive maps in rats. In his famous experiment, one group of rats was placed at
random starting locations in a maze but the food was always in the same location.
Another group of rats had the food placed in different locations which always
required exactly the same pattern of turns from their starting location. The group that
had food in the same location performed much better than the other group,
supposedly demonstrating that they had learned the location rather than specific
sequence of turns. This is tendency to “ learn location” signified that rats somehow
formed cognitive maps that help perform well on the maze. He also found out that
organisms will select the shortest or easiest path to achieve goal.

ALBERT BANDURA’S SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

Social learning theory focuses on the learning that occurs within a social context.
It considers that people learn from one another, including such concepts as
observational learning, imitation, and modeling.

Principles of social learning theory

a. People can learn by observing.

b. People can learn through observation alone.
c. People are often reinforced for modeling the behavior of another.

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Module 6: Learners with Exceptionalities

The observer is reinforced by the model. For example, a student who changes
dress to fit in with a certain group of students has a strong likelihood of being
accepted and thus reinforced by the group.

The observer is reinforced by a third person.

For example, an outstanding class leader or student. The teacher notices this and
compliments and praises the observer for modeling such behavior thus reinforcing
that behavior.

The imitated behavior itself leads to reinforcing consequences.

For example, a student in my multimedia class could observe how the extra work a
classmate does is fun. This student in turn would do the same extra work and also
experience enjoyment.

Consequences of the model’s behavior affect the observer’s behavior vicariously.

For example, a group of students watch a film of a model hitting an inflated clown
doll. One group of children saw the model being praised for such action. Without
being reinforced, the group of children began to also hit one group of children saw
the model being praise for such action.

Behaviors that can be learned through modeling;

1. Attention – the person must first pay attention to the model.

2. Retention – One way of increasing this is using the technique of rehearsal.
3. Motor reproduction – it is ability to replicate the behavior that the model has
just demonstrated.
4. Motivation – Learners must want to demonstrate what they have learned.

LET US WRAP UP

Activity 1.2

State a personal message derive from the key concepts of Tolman’s purposive
behaviorism.

Key Concept of Tolman’s Theory on Personal Message

Purposive Behaviorism

1. Learning is always purposive and

goal-directed

2. Cognitive maps helps students

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perform well.

3. Learning is influenced by
expectations, perceptions, needs and
other internal variables like hunger.

LET US ASSESS

Activity 1.3

Choose 3 key concepts of Bandura’s social learning theory then state how you apply
the concept as you teach.

3 Key Concepts of Albert Bandura How I apply it in my teaching

1.

2.

3.

ANSWER KEY

1.
2.REFERENCES

LUCAS, MARIA RITA, Ph. D., FACILITATING LEARNING: A Metacognitive Process.

BULUSAN, FERDINAND et al, FACILITATING LEARNER-CENTERED TEACHING

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FINAL ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:

Read the following news article.

1. What do authorities say might be the reason why Sergio hanged himself?
2. What do you think is the effect of television on the behavior of young people
(preschool to college)? Cite specific examples.

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