The behaviorism theory views learning as a process where behaviors are strengthened through positive reinforcement or weakened through punishment in response to environmental stimuli. Key aspects of this theory include: teacher-centered instruction, a focus on observable and measurable behaviors, and the idea that all behaviors are influenced by external factors. In the classroom, this means highly structured lessons, positive and negative consequences for behaviors, breaking skills into small units, and using models to encourage learning. The theory aims to directly shape student behaviors and skills through reinforcement and discipline.

1. Behaviorism Theory
Written by Molly Howell

2. Menu
 What?
 Who?
 How?
 My Classroom

3. The Behaviorism Theory
 World view that operates by the principle of stimulus
response
 Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement will
increase the probability that the behavior will be repeated
 Consequences and punishment, negative and positive,
will decrease the likelihood that the behavior will be
repeated

4. The Behaviorist Theory Continued
 Mostly focuses on teacher-centered instruction
 Lectures, demonstrations, tutorials
 Concerned with observable and measurable aspects
of human behavior
 All behavior is caused by external stimuli
 Educational effects are key in developing basic skills
and foundations of understanding in all subject areas
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5. People of the Behaviorist Approach
 B.F. Skinner
 Most influential of American psychologists
 Theory of operant conditioning
 Radical Behaviorism
 John B Watson
 Thought psychology should be the science of observable
behavior
 Beginning of the development of learning science
 The “Little Albert” Experiment

6. Ivan Pavlov
 Russian physiologist
 His research on the physiology of digestion led to the
first experimental model of learning, classical
conditioning
 Nobel Prize winner, 1904
 Best known for Pavlov’s Dog Experiment
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7. Classroom Implications of Behaviorism
 Direct, teacher-centered instruction
 Demonstrations, drills, lectures
 Teachers would check student’s work regularly
 Providing feedback as well as encouragement
 Students can be taught best when focus is directly
on the content
 Breakingdown skills and information to be learned is
best when put into small units

8. Implications of Behaviorism View
 Teachers must set up highly structured lesson plans
 Punishing bad behavior, encouraging good
behavior
 Behaviorist approach is best with young learners
 No lesson plan can work if completely behavioral-
free
 Discipline helps keep classroom moving along
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9. My Classroom Using Behaviorism View
 Students will be rewarded for good behavior, and
consequences will be given for bad behavior
 The teacher, myself, must have well-structured
lesson plans for students to follow
Help my students understand that more effort
equals higher grades.

10. My Classroom and Behaviorism Approach
 I will use high achieving and successful peers as
models for other students
 Reinforcement will strengthen a behavior while
punishment will weaken a behavior
 Using Technology with Instruction that Works by
Pitler et al (2007) (Book)
 Educational strategies such as “Reinforcing Effort” and
“Homework and Practice” Effort is number one factor
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