Landasan Ilmu Pendidikan
Landasan Ilmu Pendidikan
Landasan Ilmu Pendidikan
NIM : 16178068
Introduction to Theory
Theory is a term about which volumes have been written by philosophers of science. In
short, theory as a set of related general statements used to explain particular facts. The related
general statements have variously been called axioms, theorems, assumptions, principles, or
laws. Which of these terms is used has to do with whether the general statements are self-evident
beliefs and logical deductions (assumptions, axioms, theorems) or whether they are
generalizations derived from results of scientific studies (principles, laws).
On the other hand, there are some functions of theory. First, the main function of the
theory is to lead to discovery of new facts. Because in each time a new fact is correctly predicted
by the theory, people do not get new information about the world but, in addition the theory
gains validity and credibility. Second, the function of theory is to summarize and interrelate a set
of disparate facts. It is much easier to remember a few general principles than whole list of facts.
And the last function of theory is to explain facts or observations. This is one way of explaining
the facts that have been gathered.
Moreover, there are some criteria the theories to be good categorized. In human learning,
someone must be able to tell a good theory from a bad theory. Thomas (1985) suggests six
criteria for doing that:
In addition, there are five cores issues different in learning theories. And also it is the
most important issues consider when deciding which theory to apply in any given situation.
Behaviorism arose in the early twentieth century in reaction against structuralism and
functionalism, both of approaches to psychology that focused on the study of conscious
experience. There are many expert did research toward behavioral and it arose behaviorist
theorists. The one of theory comes from Edwin R. Guthrie’s (1886-1959). The best quoting from
him is “a combination of stimuli which has accompanied a movement will on its reoccurrence
tend to be followed by that movement. He states that the “bond” or connection between the
stimulus and response is established all at once at full strength and is not strengthened by
practice.
2. The Cognitive Perspective
I. Classical Conditioning
There are some components of classical conditioning using the original laboratory
situation in which the phenomenon was discovered by Ivan Pavlov. He was a
physiologist who won the Nobel prize for his work on the role of the glands in digestion.
The first component of classical conditioning is the unconditioned stimulus. This is a
stimulus that naturally elicits a response. The food in the dog’s mouth is the
unconditioned stimulus in Pavlov’s situation. Food placed in the mouth elicits the
response of salivation. Salivation to the food in the mouth is called the unconditioned
response. The connection between the unconditioned stimulus and unconditioned
response is reflexive or unlearned. The next component of classical conditioning is a
neutral one called the conditioned stimulus that does not originally elicit the
unconditioned response. Then, when the salivation occurs to the conditioned stimulus, it
is called the conditioned response.
On the other hand, Pavlov distinguished between two basic types of conditioning.
Appetitive conditioning involves an unconditioned stimulus that is positive or something
that the organism would ordinarily seek out, such as food, water or sexual stimulation.
The other is defense conditioning. It is negative that the organism tries to avoid, such as
electric shock or pin pricks.
Moreover, there are several aspects of classical conditioning that distinguish it from
other forms of learning. First, it occurs only in situations where there is already a strong
unconditioned stimulus-response connection. Second, the sequence of events to which a
learner is exposed does not depend upon what the learner does. Third, what indicates the
learning is a change in the effectiveness of the conditioned stimulus in eliciting the
response that previously occurred only the unconditioned stimulus.
There are two technologies behavior modification and programmed learning that have
been developed from basic operant conditioning research. Both of these applications have had
great impact on education.
- Behavior Modification
- Objections to Behavior Modification
- Programmed Instruction
Relationships between classical and operant conditioning
The relationship between these two types of behavior, Hill (1981) suggests that we think
of operant conditioning as the process by which we learn the behaviors and skills needed to get
what we want in life. Thus, operant or instrumental conditioning permits us to learn the means
toward our goals.
- What is learned?
- Emphasis on environmental versus organismic factors
- Source of motivation
- Transfer
- Important variables