2. SHOULD BEHAVIORISM SHAPE EDUCATIONAL
PRACTICE?
• YES – B.F Skinner - An • NO – Carl R. Rogers –
influential proponent of Professor of psychology
behaviorism and and psychiatry offers
professor of the „humanistic‟
psychology, critiques alternative to
the concept of „inner behaviorism, insisting
freedom‟ and links on the reality of
learning and subjective forces in
motivation to the human motivation.
influence of external • Carl R.Rogers, from Freedom to Learn
for the Eighties (Merrill, 1983)
forces.
• B.F Skinner, from Beyond Freedom
and Dignity (Alfred A.Knopf, 1971)
3. MAKE A STAND!
(YES)
• On this issue, I stand with B.F Skinner. “Skinner
believes that „inner‟ states are merely convenient
myths, that motives and behaviors are shaped by
environmental factors. These shaping
forces, however, need not be negative, nor must
they operate in an uncontrolled manner. Our
present understanding of human behavior allows us
the freedom to shape the environmental forces
, which in turn shape us.” (Beyond Freedom and
Dignity p.35)
4. WHY B.F. SKINNER?
Behavioral Learning: Pros in the
• “The behavioral view of educational setting:
learning generally • Positive Reinforcement
assume that the outcome encourages better behavior
of learning is a change in from students.
behavior. The focus is on • Teaching environment is
what can be structured and concrete.
observed.”(Woolfolk p. • Objectives are clear and
247) easy to understand.
• Teacher can assess students
and give feedback.
5. WHY NOT CARL R. ROGERS?
Humanistic Learning: Cons in the
• “Approach to motivation educational setting:
that emphasizes personal
• Classrooms/Lessons are not
freedom, choice, self
structured.
determination and striving
for personal growth.” • Can create a chaotic
(Woolfolk, p. 433) learning environment.
• Teachers have a harder
time assessing students and
giving feedback.
• Students may have too
much control.
6. FINAL NOTE
If a lesson plan is completely free of behaviorism, there is little
chance a teacher will ever get through the lesson. Students
need structure and discipline in order to keep a lesson moving
along!
