This document provides an introduction to behaviorism by explaining its key concepts and figures. Behaviorism asserts that behavior is shaped by environmental stimuli and reinforced responses. It focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes. Important behaviorist theorists discussed include B.F. Skinner, who emphasized positive reinforcement and intermittent reinforcement, and Edward Thorndike, who studied learning in animals through trial and error. The document also describes how behaviorism is applied in classrooms, such as breaking skills into units, providing feedback, and using reinforcement to increase positive behaviors.
2. Menu Options
What is Behaviorism?
Who are key figures in Behaviorism?
How it’s used in a classroom?
How it’s used in my classroom?
3. What is Behaviorism?
Behavior is caused by…
Physical Stimuli
Responses
Learning Histories
And Behavioral Reinforcements
4. What is Behaviorism? (cont.)
Behaviorist is not concerned with…
How…or why?
Just concerned with whether answer’s
correct
Behavior can be reinforced using
Positive…
…or Negative feedback
https://www.msu.edu/~purcelll/behaviorism%20theory.htm?pagewanted=all
5. Key Figures in Behaviorism
B. F. Skinner
Pleasant experiences for positive
reinforcement
Continuous reinforcement increases rate of
learning
Intermittent reinforcement contributes to
longer retention
http://www.sil.org/lingualinks/literacy/implementaliteracyprogram/behavioristtheoryoflearningski.
htm
6. Key Figures in Behaviorism
(cont.)
Edward Thorndike
Studied learning in animals
Would put cat in a box
A prize of a fish was at the end
Cat needed to pull lever
And would repeat the test leading to faster
trials
http://www.simplypsychology.org/edward-thorndike.html
7. How it’s used in Classroom
How do teachers use it?
Break down the skills into smaller units
Check students work and provide feedback
Focus is directly on content to be taught
Teacher centered instruction
http://viking.coe.uh.edu/~ichen/ebook/et-it/behavior.htm
8. How it’s used in Classroom
(cont.)
What would the students do?
Increase the likelihood of a positive
behavior
Decrease the frequency of a particular
response
http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Behaviorism
9. How Theory would apply to
my classroom
Could give positive reinforcement
Applaud students after a performance
Commend students for their work
Reinforce their abilities to perform
Informing students’ parents’ of their talents
10. How Theory would apply to
my classroom
Could give negative reinforcement
Attending a school production replacing
lowest homework grade
Performing a Monologue or scene replacing
an eight page final exam