2. Behaviorism Overview
• What is it?
1
• Key Figures
2
• Uses in the Classroom
3
4 • Uses in My Classroom
3. What is it?
Idea that behaviors are learned
through conditioning
Conditioning is learned by
interaction with environment
All behavior is observable and
measurable
No consideration of mental
states (i.e. emotions or feelings)
4. Key Points
Classical Conditioning
◦ Pavlov
◦ Learning by association
Operant Conditioning
◦ Skinner
◦ Learning by consequences (reinforcement and
punishment)
Social Learning Theory
◦ Bandura
◦ People learn from one another (via
observation, modeling, and imitation)
5. Key Figures
Ivan Pavlov (1849- John Watson(1878 -
1936) 1958)
Albert Bandura
B.F. Skinner (1904 –
(1925 – Present)
1990)
6. B.F. Skinner
Contributions
◦ Operant Conditioning
◦ Shaping
Major Works
◦ Verbal Behavior
◦ Walden Two
◦ The Behavior of
Organisms
8. Uses in the Classroom – Teacher
Perspective
◦ Teachers use reward systems (reinforcement)
to promote learning
◦ Positive Reinforcement
Reward is given for a desired behavior
Behavior is more likely to occur again in the
future
◦ Teachers model appropriate behavior and
students imitate the behavior
◦ Do not need technology in order to see
benefits
◦ Hardly no cost to implement a good system
9. Uses in the Classroom – Student
Perspective
Motivated to learn because they can get a
reward
Wants to do well because others are
receiving rewards
Increased self-esteem may lead to better
social relationships (new friends).
Positive outlook on teacher (he/she cares
about me)
10. The Use of Behaviorism in My
Classroom
My Philosophy
◦ Every child is capable of learning something
◦ Through the use of rewards:
Could increase motivation or desire to learn
Increase self-esteem of students
Create a system in which the child would be
successful
11. The Use of Behaviorism in My
Classroom
Classroom
Implementation
◦ Design a system that
would benefit entire
classroom (i.e. “star
chart” or token
system)
◦ Generalize system to
be effective outside
the classroom
