2. What is Behaviorism?
Important People.
Used in a Classroom?
My Classroom.
3. Also known as Behavioral Psychology.
It is a learning theory.
The idea that all behaviors are acquired
through conditioning.
4. Learning takes place through a system of
positive and negative rewards.
Independent thinking is NOT an important
aspect of behaviorism.
5. Ivan Pavlov
◦ Won the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1904
◦ Most famous work was done with dogs
Trained dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell.
◦ He used Classic Conditioning
The natural reflex that occurs in response to a
stimulus.
6. B.F. Skinner
◦ Most notable work was done with Pigeons.
◦ He used Operant Conditioning
Learning controlled by positively reinforcing desired
behaviors and negatively reinforcing undesired
behaviors.
7. When does a teacher use this theory?
Behaviorism is used in almost all classrooms.
Specifically Operant Conditioning.
◦ When class work is done well, students are
rewarded positively with the grad of an “A”.
◦ When class work is done poorly, students are
rewarded negatively with the grade of an “F”
8. What students do with this theory?
Like Pavlovs work with dogs, students are
also trained to do something at the sound of
a bell.
◦ Get up and go to the next class!
This is Classic Conditioning.
9. Does behaviorism a part of my teaching?
YES!
Rewarding students with a high grade for
excellent work.
10. Behaviorism can be a great part of teaching.
Rewarding students for good work is also
rewarding for a teacher!
