The document discusses behaviorism and its application to education. It defines behaviorism as the idea that behavior is acquired through conditioning using stimuli and responses that are reinforced. The two types of conditioning are classical and operant conditioning. Behaviorism influenced educational theorists like B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson. In classrooms, behaviorism is seen through objective-driven instruction, individual work, and use of reinforcement systems. Both benefits and limitations are noted in strictly applying behaviorist principles to learning.

1. Behaviorism and Education
By: Sara Roushandel

2. Menu Page
• What is Behaviorism
– Classical vs. Operant Conditioning
• Behaviorism theorist’s
– B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson
• Behaviorism in the classroom
– Teachers and Students
• Behaviorism and my educational philosophy
• Final thoughts: Pros and Cons to Behaviorism

3. What is Behaviorism?
• Idea that behavior is acquired
through conditioning.
• Measures behavior by
a learner’s response to
stimuli.
• A learner’s response to stimuli
can be reinforced using positive or
negative feedback.
• There are 2 types of
conditioning…

4. Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning involves pairing a naturally occurring stimulus with a
response. Then a previous neutral stimulus is paired with the naturally
occurring stimulus. The neutral stimulus begins to evoke the same response
without the natural occurring stimulus.

5. Operant Conditioning
• Method that
occurs using
negative and
positive
reinforcement (or
rewards and
punishments).

6. B.F. Skinner
• Invented the “Skinner
Box”- associated with
operant conditioning
• “Education is what
survives when what
has been learned
has been forgotten”
• “The consequences
of an act affect the
probability of it
happening again” March 1904 - August 1990

7. John B. Watson
• “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-
formed, and my own specified world to
bring them up in and I guarantee to take
any one at random and train him to
become any type of specialist I might
select- doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-
chief and, yes, even beggar-man and
thief, regardless of his talents, penchants,
tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race
of his ancestors.”
• Known for publishing an article titled
“Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It” Jan. 1878- Sept. 1958
also called “The Behaviorist Manifesto”.

8. Behaviorism and Teachers
• Behaviorism is seen when teachers use the
following methods:
– Testing specific skills
– More individual work than group learning
– Using positive and negative reinforcement
• One specific way teachers could incorporate
behaviorism is using a point or sticker system
to reward students good behavior or good
academic performance.

9. Behaviorism and Students
• According to behaviorism, students learn through experiences
and practices.
• Learning is also modified with positive and negative
reinforcements
• Students begin to give predicted responses to a stimulus

10. Behaviorism and My
Classroom
• Ways in which I could use behaviorism
theory in my classroom:
– Have objectives and expectations clearly stated
– Give weekly quizzes/tests
– Use positive/negative reinforcement to encourage and
reward my students for good behavior and to punish bad
behavior.

11. Final Thoughts
• Pros:
– Behaviorism is based on observable behaviors, making it easier to
conduct and collect data and research.
– Can be applicable/helpful for therapy of children with behavioral
disorders
• Cons:
– Does not account for other ways of learning that do no involve
positive/negative reinforcement
– People can change their behavior when presented with new
information, even if they have previously established a different
behavior through reinforcement