How would a behaviourist explain the learning process?

A behaviourist would describe the learning process to be due to either classical conditioning, operant conditioning or social learning theory. Classical conditioning refers to learning by association. For example, an experiment was conducted by Pavlov in which they built up an association between a dog salivating in response to food, and the sound of a bell. The dog learned to associate the sound of a bell with the possibility of eating, and thus salivated. Operant conditioning refers to learning by consequence and reinforcement. For example, if you're continuously rewarded for a behaviour you are likely to continue to do the behaviour, and if you're punished for the behaviour then you are likely to stop the behaviour. Social learning theory refers to learning by imitation. Individuals observe a behaviour being carried out, and the response to said behaviour. If the response is positive the individual is more likely to copy the behaviour.