Introduction
If I had a ton of money and no need to work for income for the rest of my life, I would dedicate my time to obtaining knowledge related to other cultures and learning foreign languages in particular. Although there is a list of languages I wish to learn, some of them should be chosen as a start. Thus, having time, money, and energy, I would learn Japanese as I am fascinated by Japan, its history, and its culture. In addition, I believe that a great difference between English and Japanese creates additional challenges, however, they will stimulate my desire to succeed.
Discussion
The learning theory that I wish to apply to my experience is the behaviorist theory. In general, the behaviorist theory was created as a psychological theory by Watson and developed by his supporters in the 1940s-1950s (Broad, 2020). In relation to language learning, it proposed that children acquire language skills through the imitation of other people’s speech. In addition, their progress was determined by the positive reinforcement of their successful attempts. Thus, the scientists stated that “since children were encouraged by their surrounding environment they would continue to imitate and practice these sounds and patterns until the children used ‘habits’ of correct language use” (Broad, 2020, p. 80). According to the theory, the quantity and quality of heard language in combination with continuous and consistent reinforcement lead to positive outcomes.
Applying the behaviorist theory, my learning will consist of several methods or processes. The first one may be regarded as traditional as it will include learning with a highly qualified personal teacher on a daily basis. The main conditions of this process will be continuous and repeated practice and positive rewards for correct answers and progress in general. In particular, my education will include the use of common methodologies, such as call and response tasks, flashcards, rote memorization, dialogue memorization, single-slot substitution, transformation drill, and chain drill. In addition, all my completed tasks will require feedback in order to form an understanding and correct speech and writing in the future. Moreover, as previously mentioned, the learning process will include positive reinforcement from an educator, such as encouragement and smiles. A teacher should also reassure me that mistakes are natural in education, and success is impossible without them. In this case, I will be motivated and will not be afraid of failure.
The second method is closely connected with the theory’s concept of the environment’s impact. Although language immersion may be regarded as a traditional practice as well, in my case, financial stability will make it more intense. In other words, I will learn and practice my language skills in Tokyo and other parts of Japan as well as fly there on a regular basis. Moreover, I will hire a Japanese teacher who will help immerse me in a new linguistic environment and ensure positive reinforcement as well. Thus, I predict that this learning experience will lead to the improvement of language skills and the acquisition of an advanced level of Japanese. According to the behaviorist theory, teachers’ tasks and language immersion as environmental stimuli along with operant conditioning will initiate my response as the formation of a habit, or language skills.
From a personal perspective, the behaviorist learning theory supports my personal learning situation on the basis of several factors. First of all, it is comprehensive and easy to understand and apply as it has several steps that shape learning. In addition, it emphasizes the role of a teacher who controls the learning process and determines its direction on the basis of a learner’s progress. Moreover, the theory “gives good implications in teaching learning especially in the language learning process” taking into consideration the fact that language is a cultural product (Budiman, 2017, p. 111). Finally, this learning experience is highly suitable for me – first of all, I learn better when I am supervised as I am motivated by others’ skills. At the same time, I need language immersion as it presupposes a new cultural experience that will make education less routine.
According to the behaviorist theory, people are able to learn anything if they follow particular steps within the stimuli-response framework. In this case, it meets my expectations from the learning process as I need additional support and self-confidence. In addition, using the behaviorist theory, I will be able to see the results clearly. However, the theory does not consider several things, including an individual’s personality, talents related to learning, and mental processes, paying attention to the environment exclusively. Thus, I will not be able to estimate whether I learn due to the quality of teaching or my own language learning-related talents and desires.
Greta is highly satisfied with her new relationship and plans for the future with her partner. However, he has three big dogs and mentions that he would never agree to live without animals. At the same time, Greta is very afraid of dogs as she experienced a dog attack in her childhood. On the one hand, it resulted in severe injuries that required surgical intervention. On the other hand, it led to more serious consequences for Greta’s mental health as she developed more and more fears. While some of them were later addressed, the fear of dogs remained strong. Thus, if Greta wants to continue dating a man she likes, she should learn not to be afraid of these animals.
According to the case, Greta has cynophobia, an intense and uncontrollable fear of dogs associated with discomfort, anxiety, and even panic attacks when any interaction with them is expected. While there are multiple factors of this condition, Greta has developed cynophobia as a result of negative events connected with dogs. To be precise, dog bites cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder (ASD) (Oxley et al., 2022). Thus, in the present day, for Greta, any dog is associated with extreme danger and injuries.
In relation to learning languages, the behaviorist theory emphasizes the significance of environment, practice, and rewards. In other words, the process of repetition and imitation forms mechanical habits expressed in observable responses as the result of learning. At the same time, the stimulus-response model of the behaviorist theory is applicable to the formation of phobias and their treatment (Braungart et al., n.d.). In childhood, a dog’s attack (environmental stimulus) formed Greta’s cynophobia (response). In addition, everything connected with that incident, including black color, hospitals, first responders, sirens, and loud noises, started to be associated with danger, pain, and hostility. In this case, the woman’s cynophobia may lead to multiple challenges not even connected to dogs (Braungart et al., n.d.). For instance, she may feel uncomfortable visiting medical facilities as they will be associated with negative feelings related to the accident with dog bites.
In order to treat cynophobia and minimize the manifestation of other anxiety disorders, it is essential to replace a negative response with a positive one and form new associations with feared situations and objects. The first step in this process implies systematic desensitization that aims to gradually reduce anxiety and fear on the basis of an assumption that previously learned responses may be extinguished or unlearned (Braungart et al., n.d.). Desensitization includes relaxation techniques combined with either mental imagery or exposure-based treatments. In this case, when a person is relaxed, the stimulus that produces fear is gradually introduced (Braungart et al., n.d.). It may be organized through the use of virtual reality with virtual dog models that imitate human-dog interactions in real life (Oxley et al., 2022). This method is beneficial due to its safety, especially for people who are not ready for real contact or whose cynophobia is particularly severe. Another method refers to a gradual in vivo exposure to a feared object on a regular and repetitive basis until the response is changed (Hemyari et al., 2020). In other words, a person will learn that no harm should be expected, and a fear-inducing stimulus will not cause an existing response.
The second step of treatment presupposed by the behaviorist theory is the formation of a new response through operant conditioning. It refers to particular attention to a new response expressed in either award or punishment to reinforce it (Braungart et al., n.d.). In this case, every time a person demonstrates a new reaction, it should be supported to create a habit. Thus, when Greta tries to communicate with dogs, her partner should welcome her efforts with nice words, kisses, and hugs to form a new response to these animals.
It goes without saying that Greta may face particular challenges trying to treat cynophobia and address her fear of dogs in this way. The main difficulties may be associated with the peculiarities of her personality – for instance, the process of treatment may be more long-lasting for her due to her low adaptability and strong anxiety. Another obstacle is connected with a potential absence of internal stimulus as it is not clear whether Greta wishes to treat the phobia that impacts her life for herself or if she wants to do it only in order to stay with a man.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the absence of internal initiative and a learner’s enthusiasm is one of the concerns for which the application of the behaviorist theory may be criticized. The absence of in-depth analysis of people’s behavior and the environment may raise ethical questions. In general, the behaviorist theory views learners as passive, and mental processes involved in the learning process are regarded as less significant in comparison with the environment. In particular, if an individual is easily manipulated and passive in treatment, it may be someone else’s decision to change response, and cooperation and conformity cannot be regarded as reliable stimuli for learning. In addition, the theory emphasizes the importance of incentives and rewards that create additional biases in relation to the purpose of learning. In addition, the stability of the results is debatable as well. Thus, even if Great learns to interact with dogs, their aggressive behavior or attack in the future may lead to cynophobia again.
References
Braungart, M. M., Braungart, R. G., Gramet, P. R. (n.d.). Applying learning theories to healthcare practice (pp. 45-76). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Broad, D. (2020). Literature review of theories of second language acquisition. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 7(1), 80-86.
Budiman, A. (2017). Behaviorism and foreign language teaching methodology. ENGLISH FRANCA: Academic Journal of English Language and Education, 1(2), 101-114.
Hemyari, C., Dolatshahi, B., Sahraian, A., Koohi-Hosseinabadi, O., & Zomorodian, K. (2020). Evaluation of the effectiveness of one-and multi-session exposure-based treatments in reducing biological and psychological responses to rat phobia among students. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 13, 665-679. Web.
Oxley, J. A., Santa, K., Meyer, G., & Westgarth, C. (2022). A systematic scoping review of human-dog interactions in virtual and augmented reality: The use of virtual dog models and immersive equipment. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3(782023), 1-16. Web.