Learning Theories in Applied Behavior Analysis

Classical conditioning normally occurs when an individual learns to associate two stimulus and learn from the first stimuli while operant conditioning normally occurs when changes in behavior are due to the consequences of a response (Gormezano, Prokasy, & Thompson, 2014). The Social Learning Theory is a theory that suggests that people learn by observing others (Thomas, & Simpson, 2014). Behaviorism is the view that behaviors, when repeated, may lead to the acquisition of knowledge. Organizational and lifelong learning is the view that learning is a lifelong process. An ABA therapist is a medic who makes use of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to diagnose and treat patients (Slocum et al. Operant and Classical Conditioning Traditional Learning Theories Operant and classical conditioning may be defined as the two ways in which individuals to reflect the order of the environment surrounding them.

The two learning theories attempt to explain behaviorism in individuals due to response to stimulus. Operant conditioning was first explained by BF skinner in 1938 as a form of learning processes where behaviors are brought by certain rewards and consequences (Gormezano, Prokasy, & Thompson, 2014). The main components of operant conditioning are reinforcements and punishment which accordingly modify the behavior of a subject. Notably, operant conditioning is only concerned with expressible behaviors and cannot be used to explain the inner thoughts of an individual. Accordingly, the learning process may lead to a modification of the behavior of a particular individual. Behaviorism Social learning theory suggests that an individual may alter their traits by learning from others. For instance, an individual who is a drug addict may be treated by enrolling him in community service groups to curb their activities, by observing the positive workings of their mates.

Through this process, it will clearly come out that the particular drug addicts will change their way of life. Social learning theory also known as cognitive behaviorism is a learning process that was first established by Badura and it emphasizes on the role of modelling in the process of learning ((Bandura, 1969); Olson, 2015). Decision making is largely influenced by attention and the memory of the individual involved in learning, Notably, the decision-making process is also a learning process by itself and is more efficient than traditional learning processes. Equally, memories play a pivotal role in influencing the behavior of individuals in social learning theory. Moreover, the brain is responsible for memories and attention and thus the study of the brain is essential to understanding the role of attention and memory in decision making.

Memory development and retention are core in learning processes. Notably, without memory retention, it is impossible for an individual to learn and consequently adopt new behaviors (Pritchard, 2013). For instance, most scholars argue that undesirable social behavior such as crime life and drug addiction is a lifelong process. Equally, treating the behavioral disorders is usually a lifelong process since there is always the risk of a relapse of the unintended behavior. This makes life learning processes vital in mental counseling and behavioral psychology. Lifelong learning is vital in ensuring that there is no relapse in a behavior that had been modified (Pritchard, 2013). This can be fostered by Individual and group learning as well as Organizational learning where patients become part of an organization that is omitted towards a cause.

Nonetheless, demographic differences vastly influence the behavioral patterns as argued by Pritchard (2013). However, demographic differences can be used by psychologists to model the behavior of individuals by conditioning the demographic characteristic of a person. There are various demographic characteristics that may influence the behavioral development of individuals in a person such as a gender, socioeconomics, religious affiliation, and race (Pritchard, 2013). For instance, males are more likely to engage in crime and drug abuse as compared to females who are more conservative. Accordingly, the best strategy that a behavioral psychologist could adopt in diagnosing behavioral disorders is understanding the demographic situations that bring about the behavioral disorder and accordingly coming up with the correct treatment to modify the environment and thus change the behavior.

The essay has also noted that lifelong and organizational learning is vital in modeling the behavior and in particular reducing the chances of relapse of the undesired behavior. Equally, organizational learning provides an avenue where the psychologist and the patient can monitor their behavioral change processes and increase the chances of success in behavior modification. However, lifelong learning does not provide immediate solutions in behavioral therapy since it is a lifelong process. A such, long life learning requires the use of clinical medication to initiate and fast-track the behavioral change. The study has also observed that the demographic characteristics of an individual may cause behavioral change and therefore be used in mental counseling and behavioral therapy. , & Thompson, R. F.  Classical conditioning.