Behaviorism is a learning theory that behavior is shaped by conditioning through responses to stimuli. Key figures who developed behaviorism include Ivan Pavlov, who discovered classical conditioning through his dog experiments, and B.F. Skinner who developed operant conditioning using punishment and rewards. In the classroom, behaviorism can be observed through positive reinforcement of desired behaviors and negative reinforcement to avoid unwanted behaviors. Behaviorism also complements the philosophy of essentialism in teaching accumulated essential knowledge through reinforcement of good behaviors like grades.

1. BEHAVIORISM
By: Kyle Warren

2. Behaviorism
 What is Behaviorism?
 Key figures of the theory
 How it is observed in the classroom
 How behaviorism fits in my educational philosophy

3. What is Behaviorism
 Behaviorism is the theory of learning built
on the concept that all behaviors are
gained through conditioning
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4. Behaviorism continued
 Through behaviorism you can learn to predict
behavior.
 Promoting desired behavior with responses to
stimuli.
 Positive reinforcement allows for conditioning
of wanted behavior, while negative
reinforcement avoids unwanted behavior.
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5. Key figures
 Ivan Pavlov is credited with the first concept of
behaviorism.
 His research on digestive systems of dogs began his
discovery of classical conditioning in his famed “Pavlovs
dogs” experiment.
 Classical conditioning demonstrated
that behaviors could be learned with
conditioned associations, in this case
ringing a bell to let the dogs know it
was time to eat, causing them to salivate
just at the sound of the bell alone.
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6. Key figures continued
 John B. Waston would become one of the
strongest advocates of behaviorism.
 B.F. Skinner would also build upon the
behaviorism theory, developing the theory
of operant conditioning; showing the
effect of reinforcement through
punishment or reward on behavior.
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7. Observation in the classroom
 Behaviorism can be observed in the
classroom through positive and negative
reinforcement.
 Positive reward to desired behavior, such as
receiving an A in class participation for only
speaking when related to class material.
 Negative reward to undesired
behavior, such as moving a student
to their own corner for disrupting
class.

8. Observation continued
 Behaviorists do not worry how knowledge is
learned, only that the correct response is
given.
 A “star system”, that is rewarding correct
academic knowledge with a golden star, or
token, motivated students to learn and study.

9. Behaviorism & Essentialism
 Behaviorism can accompany another
educational philosophy of mine, essentialism.
 Essentialism attempts to teach accumulated
knowledge considered „essential‟ through
books and character development.
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10. Behaviorism & Essentialism
cont.
 Through teaching essential facts you can
apply positive reinforcement with lessons
relating to real life skills that interest the
student I.E. field trips to museums for students
with good grades