Behaviorism is a learning theory that believes learning occurs through positive and negative reinforcement rather than cognitive processing. Key figures in behaviorism include Ivan Pavlov who studied classical conditioning, B.F. Skinner who studied operant conditioning, and Albert Bandura who studied social learning and observational modeling. In a behaviorist classroom, the teacher's role is to guide students and use reinforcement to steer them in the right direction, while students learn through observation and mimicry with the goal of being rewarded. The theory is effective for younger students but not for older students learning more complex topics that require cognitive understanding.
2. Main Ideas of Behaviorism
Behaviorists believe that learning requires no
cognitive processing, but rather is done through a
system of positive and negative rewards.
This is the same concept used to train animals, and
studies have been done to show how animals can
learn by rewards systems.
Assumes the learner starts with a clean slate (i.e.
tabula rasa)
Learning is defined as a change in behavior.
3. Key Figures In Behaviorism
Ivan Pavlov- Classic
Conditioning
B.F. Skinner- Operant
Conditioning, and
Radical Behaviorism
Albert Bandura- Social
Cognitive Theory, and
Observational Modeling
4. Teachers Job in Behaviorist Classroom
The teacher would serve as
more of a guide than a
traditional teacher.
They can’t really teach
deeper concepts because
behaviorism doesn’t use
cognitive processing.
The teacher would simply
give assignments and
model what they were
supposed to do then use
positive or negative
reinforcement in order to
steer the students in the
right direction.
5. Students Role in Behaviorist Classroom
The students would be
reduced to an essentially
monkey see monkey do
attitude when it came to
learning because they
wouldn’t understand the
material past that they
know if they do it a certain
way they get rewarded.
They would use a lot of
observational learning
because they would see
how something was done
and mimic it.
6. My Thoughts on Behaviorism in the Classroom
I think that it is a very good theory up to a certain
age.
After third or fourth grade the theory isn’t a good
thing in my opinion because that is when students
are being taught more complicated lessons that
should be cognitively understood.
Before this time it is a great theory because it is
mostly when children are learning the basic skills in
life, and with positive reinforcement behind those
lessons it can really teach the children good habits.
