Learning a new skill, developing it as per your requirement, and utilizing it be a part of your career to have career growth is what makes a person achieve better in their career and life. But, there is very little knowledge about how you can constantly learn and develop a new skill to achieve better when you are a working professional. But with a profound knowledge of how you can make sure that you can realize new skills and use them for your development, you need to learn more about Behavioral Learning Theory.
What is Behavioral Learning Theory?
This psychological framework focuses on behaviors that you learn by using various techniques. Many ways can be used to acquire a skill and the following aspects are some of the most popular ones.
1. Classical Conditioning
This is a psychological framework that focuses on a new skill or behavior that is learned by associating between assorted stimuli. For instance, Pavlov has conditioned dogs to salivate at the sound of the bell by presenting them with food, similarly, you can also start a behavioral change based on some rewards. This has also been incorporated for employees as ‘Friday Donuts’. By associating donuts with Friday, many employers have encouraged their workers to have dedication for the entire week and by the end of it, they will get a donut as a reward which will also signify that they are going to have two days of rest afterwards, which is Saturday and Sunday.
2. Operant Conditioning
The skill conditioning option has been developed by B.F. Skinner. In this technique, behaviors are subjective to their consequences. This theory also involves harsh consequences to acquire a skill, like reinforcement and punishment. For instance, if you see a coworker getting promoted just because they have signed up for extra work, then this is Operant Conditioning.
3. Social Learning Theory
Albert Bandura has introduced this theory as a part of acquiring skills. This skill acquiring option involves observation and imitation, to learn something new or to acquire a new skill set for your career and professional aspects.
4. Behavior Modification
Another approach to this is Behavior Modification through positive and negative reinforcement. These reinforcements include punishment and extinction along with rewards and promotions. This learning might allow you to learn something new or obtain something favorable but as this involves very extreme notions it doesn’t allow you to assimilate the favorable parts of learning something new.
Applications of Behavioral Learning Theory:
There are assorted applications of behavioral learning theory and applying it for various purposes needs to be completed within these ranges. Here are some application fields of Behavioral Learning Theory:
- Designing Training Programs - L&D professionals thrive in training programs and so does the program after having them on board.
- Setting Learning Objectives - If you have understood operant conditioning then you can easily be one of the most productive people in this field.
- Providing Feedback - Feedback is important and if you are willing to encourage your employees to work better, offering both constructive and positive remarks will help you a lot.
- Using Reinforcement - This allows the L&D professionals to motivate new learners.
- Modeling Behavior - By creating positive examples, you can make others observe you and follow you.
- Creating an Environment for Positive Learning - By being supportive towards your employees you can create a positive space for your worker.
- Addressing Change in Behavior - Using behavioral modification L&D professionals can address a behavior change.
This is a fairly well-assorted field that will allow you to understand and assimilate the benefits of Behavioral Learning Theory. Based on scientific research and added conjecture of this, you can easily utilize this option for your career. Whether you choose to reward yourself or draw patterns to your behaviors accruing skills will always be a part of your growth, the way might vary, but the result and goal will always remain the same.
