Behaviorism

Behaviorism A Learning Theory

Nataly BaezEME 2040Baumbach

4.8.12

Directory

What is Behaviorism?

Important Figures

Behaviorism in the Classroom

Behaviorism as a Philosophy


1. The prediction and control of human behavior in which introspection and/or independent thinking play no essential part of its teaching methods.


• Learning through a system of positive and negative rewards.

• Human learning is perceived as purely objective.

• Learning is manifested by a change in behavior.

• Learning is accredited to conditioning, or one’s environment.

Notable Figures

• Ivan Pavlov• B.F. Skinner• John B. Watson• Edward Lee Thorndike• Albert Bandura

Ivan Pavlov1849-1936

• Famous for his behavioral experiments with dogs.

• Before feeding his dogs Pavlov would ring a bell. Eventually his dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sound of the bell.

Ivan Pavlov

• Pavlov used classical conditioning in his experiment. – Classical conditioning a learning process that

occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired. • Pavlov’s experiments revealed that learning

may occur as a direct result of one’s environment and through a system of positive and negative reinforcement.

Ivan Pavlov

Jim and Dwight test out Pavlov’s theory in The Office

Behaviorism in the Classroom• Teachers would provide students with stimuli

and positive and negative reinforcements.– Assignments that require memorization would be

ideal for this learning theory. – Grades can be used as either positive or negative

reinforcements. Other positive reinforcements include praise, candy, or free time.

Behaviorism in the Classroom• Students would be required to participate in

class activities in order to attain the positive or negative reinforcements. This would be the student’s only role.


• Behaviorism focuses mainly on memorization.– Memorization may be vital in some lesson plans, and

therefore behaviorism has a place in the classroom.– In many cases memorization is not necessarily

learning, especially in the language arts department.

• While Behaviorism is useful, I wouldn’t use this theory as the sole learning system of my classroom.


• Classical Conditioning Assignment:– Teacher provides students with worksheets

throughout the year. This quiz would test students on their ability to recall important characters they have read that year.

– Teacher provides a tub of candy. Each student that receives a percentage of eighty or higher would receive a candy.


• The assignment I described uses classical conditioning to establish different characters in each student’s mind. – In this case our worksheets would be the stimuli

and the candy and the grade would be the positive reinforcement.

– A low score and lack of candy would be the negative punishment.

Works Cited

Barroso, Ary. "Brazil." Perf. Django Reinhardt. Rec. 1947. Quintette Du Hot Club De France. Django Reinhardt. 1947. MP3.

Pavlov Theory. Perf. John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson. Www.Youtube.com. 16 Oct. 2011. Web. 9 Apr. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE8pFWP5QDM&feature=related>.

Shelly, Gary B., Glenda A. Gunter, and Randolph E. Gunter. "Special Feature: Learning Theories and Educational Research." Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology in a Connected World. Boston, MA: Course Technology Cengage Learning, 2012. 257-80. Print.