Behaviorism: Learning Theory as a Journey of Self-Discovery

Learning is a need and plays a very important role in human life. This is why humans are born understanding nothing, because they are equipped only with physical and spiritual potential. In reality, humans are creatures with weaknesses, yet on the other hand they are dynamic creatures. Through this dynamism, humans are able to be creative and create progress with technology to make life easier to sustain.
 Learning theory is a combination of interrelated principles with explanations and findings related to learning events. Learning theory can help a teacher understand learners. By using learning theory, correct development steps and the right choice of material can make it easier for learners to understand a topic. The learning process can be defined as a process of change that occurs within a person that cannot be clearly witnessed, but can be seen from changes in behaviour. 
  The learning theory that emphasises behaviour change is behaviourism. By definition, behaviourist theory is a theory that focuses on observable behaviour and has no connection with consciousness or mental constructs. A characteristic of behaviourist learning theory is that the teacher acts as an agent of indoctrination and propaganda and as a controller of behaviour. This is because behaviourism assumes that humans are passive and everything depends on the stimuli received. The aim of this learning is to bring about a change in learners' behaviour for the better. 
  Behaviourist learning theory sees learning as a change in behaviour. A person is considered to have learned if they show a change in behaviour. Behaviourism regards as important the input in the form of a stimulus and the output in the form of a response. Behaviourist learning theory emphasises the formation of behaviour related to the observable relationship between stimulus and response. 
  Behaviourist learning theory explains that learning is a behaviour change that can be observed, measured and assessed concretely. Learning outcomes result from the reinforcement of responses that appear in the learning environment. Learning means reinforcing traits, bonds and tendencies in changing behaviour. Behaviourist learning theory is an effort to shape desired behaviour. Behaviourist learning theory is also often called stimulus-response learning. If the relationship between stimulus and response is repeated, it will become a habit. Responses are obtained through training or habituation methods.

 Behaviourist learning theory is a theory that studies human behaviour. According to Desmita (2009:44), behaviourist learning theory is a learning theory that understands human behaviour through an objective, mechanistic and materialistic approach, so that behaviour change can be brought about through conditioning. This theory gives great priority to observation, because observation is essential for seeing whether or not behaviour change has occurred. 
 Learning is the result of the interaction of stimulus and response. A person is considered to have learned if they show a change in behaviour. In this theory, what matters in learning is the input in the form of a stimulus and the output in the form of a response. A stimulus is something given by the teacher to learners, while a response is the learners' reaction to the stimulus given. The process between stimulus and response is not given much attention because it cannot be observed and measured. 
  Behaviourism emphasises the study of observable behavioural responses. In other words, behaviour is centred on interaction with the environment that can be seen and measured. Behaviourism is a theory that emphasises human behaviour as a result of stimulus and response.
  According to Edward Lee Thorndike, learning can be done by trial and error, because something we do merely by trial and error may produce something extraordinary. The learning process becomes a skill if it is honed continuously, and it will have a positive impact that motivates a person to keep learning. In this theory, Edward Lee conducted an experiment on a cat in a box. The box was made of wood and had a pedal. The pedal, or latch, could be stepped on, and if the pedal or latch was stepped on, the box would open. In his experiment, Edward Lee put a hungry cat into the box and then placed cat food outside the box. The box would open if the pedal was stepped on, so the cat was guided to learn that if it managed to open the box it would get food. But before that, to open the box the cat had to learn about the consequence of stepping on the pedal or latch. Of course, at first the cat did this randomly, meaning it did not understand the function of the pedal. In the end, the cat came to understand that stepping on the pedal or latch meant getting food.
 From this experiment arose the principle of the law of effect, namely that effort will succeed if it is done repeatedly and accompanied by something positive. 
  According to John Broadus Watson, learning is a process of interaction between stimulus and response, but the stimulus and response must take the form of behaviour that can be observed and measured. In this theory, John conducted an experiment on a child named Albert, aged 8 months, who previously had no fear at all of a white rat, and who turned out to be able to be made afraid of the white rat. In this experiment, Albert became afraid of the white rat because every time he saw the white rat, John struck a hammer against a metal object, which of course produced a loud noise that startled Albert. This conditioning made the sight of the white rat (not something Albert feared) and the loud metallic noise (something Albert feared) two connected components, so that Albert became afraid every time he saw the white rat even when the loud metallic noise was no longer heard. 
  From John Broadus's theory, the changes that occur in human behaviour are largely the result of environmental influence. A person will react if given stimulation by the external environment. Likewise, a stimulus given continuously will cause a change in a person's behaviour. 
 According to Edwin Ray Guthrie, learning is a combination of stimulus and movement, where a movement that has been performed will tend to be performed again under the same conditions. 
 Edwin conducted an experiment to support the theory with a cat placed in a puzzle box fitted with a camera to record the cat's movements inside the box. The recording showed that the cat made a movement to get out of the box, which the cat would repeat whenever it got out of the box. 
 From the experiment, it was concluded that living creatures tend to do the same thing, which then turns it into a habit.
 According to Burrhusm Frederic Skinner, a change in a person's behaviour will have consequences. In addition, he believed that everyone will learn to improve or strengthen their behaviour in order not to receive unpleasant punishment. 
  Frederic Skinner developed his theory through research using rats. The rats used as research subjects were placed in a box called a Skinner box. In this box there are two components, namely a manipulandum and a reinforcement dispenser. While inside the Skinner box, the rat searches around the box to get what it wants. Then, after going around the box, the rat displays a behaviour that causes the lever to be pressed. When the lever is pressed, food pellets come out into the Skinner box. 
  From the experiment, he stated that teaching and learning activities must pay attention to reinforcement. Reinforcement is closely related to stimulus and response. A stimulus becomes stronger if reinforcement is given. In teaching and learning activities, this reinforcement can take the form of giving appreciation to learners, such as giving gifts or rewards.
  Every theory certainly has its own weaknesses. The weakness of behaviourist learning theory is that the human learning process is likened to that of animals, which is hard to accept given that humans and animals differ greatly.
  Examples of applying behaviourist learning theory in teaching include: 1) learning outcomes must be reported promptly as feedback for learners; 2) after each lesson, the teacher can give a test or questions about the material that has been studied to find out how far learners understand it; 3) giving a reward in the form of a gift.

CONCLUSION
 Behaviourist learning theory explains that learning is a behaviour change that can be observed, measured and assessed concretely. A person is considered to have learned if they show a change in behaviour.
 According to Edward Lee Thorndike, learning can be done by trial and error, because something we do merely by trial and error may produce something extraordinary.
 According to John Broadus Watson, learning is a process of interaction between stimulus and response, but the stimulus and response must take the form of behaviour that can be observed and measured.
 According to Edwin Ray Guthrie, learning is a combination of stimulus and movement, where a movement that has been performed will tend to be performed again under the same conditions. 
 According to Burrhusm Frederic Skinner, a change in a person's behaviour will have consequences.