Behaviorism is a learning theory based on stimulus-response where behavior is shaped through reinforcement or punishment without appeal to mental states. Key contributors include Ivan Pavlov who showed classical conditioning in dogs, B.F. Skinner who used operant conditioning to shape animal behavior through rewards, and Albert Bandura who demonstrated observational learning. Behaviorism can be applied in classrooms using techniques like operant conditioning with rewards to encourage positive student behavior.

1. By Amy B

2. Description
 operates on a principle of “stimulus-response”
 Learn based on a system of positive and negative
rewards
 Introspection and independent thinking pay no part in
teaching methods
 Recognizes no defining line between man and animal
(both lean the same)
 Behaviorists Pavlov, Skinner, and Bandura have
contributed greatly to Behaviorism.

3. Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
 Used conditioning to train dogs to salivate when he
rang a bell
 He provided food as the positive reinforcement until
the dogs salivated without the food and would still
react to the bell.
 His method is referred to as classical conditioning.
 Won a Nobel Prize

4. B.F Skinner (1904-1990)
 Used method known as operant conditioning
 Learning that is controlled and results in shaping
behavior through reinforcement of stimulus-response
periods
 Taught pigeons to dance by rewarding them when they
behaved in the desired manor.
 Believed in shaping behavior with positive
reinforcement only.
 Believed that language development is based on
stimulus-response theory

5. Albert Bandura (1925- )
 Social cognitive theory
 People learn from observing other’s behaviors
(observation, imitation, and modeling)
 Sometimes seen as a bridge between behavorialist and
cognitive learning
 Observational modeling
 Watching someone and then trying to mimic them

6. Classroom Implications
 Operant conditioning can be used in the classroom
when the students are doing what the teachers asks of
them and they can be given a reward such as candy or
more free time
 The students would try their best to behave and do what
is asked of them to receive the reward.
 To incorporate technology the teacher could have a
way of recording the amount of times the students do
something good throughout the day on the computer
and when the students reach a certain amount they
can get a prize.

7. My Opinion
 I believe that this is a good theory to incorporate in
your classroom because when I was in school my
teacher used both operant and classical conditioning.
We were given rewards for good behavior and
punished for bad behavior. I think students need some
sort of positive or negative reinforcement especially at
a young age.