Behaviorism is a learning theory that focuses on how observable behaviors are shaped through conditioning and environmental responses without regard to mental states or internal processes. Key behaviorists like John Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and B.F. Skinner developed classic conditioning experiments demonstrating how behaviors could be influenced. In the classroom, behaviorism principles can be applied by reinforcing desirable behaviors and conditioning students over time through positive reinforcement and rewards.

1. Behaviorism
By Samantha Tornese

2. What is Behaviorism?
Behaviorism is learning theory that focuses on
how behavior is shaped over time.
Behaviorism is a study of observable behavior
only.
The “learner” is responding to the environment
that (usually) the “teacher” created.

3. Famous Behaviorists
John B. Watson (1878-1958)- American
psychologist who infamously created the
“Little Albert” experiment.
Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) - Does this name ring a
bell? Pavlov was a Russian psychologist who
worked on classical conditioning

4. Ivan Pavlov
Created an experiment to
test if dogs could learn to
associate a bell ring with
food.
Every time he would feed his
dogs, he would ring the bell.
Over time, by just ringing the
bell, the dogs would start
salivating.

6. Classroom Implications
Behaviorism is a learning theory that can be
used in the classroom. Anytime one reinforces
desirable behaviors & punishes undesirable
behaviors, conditioning is occurring and
therefore so is behaviorism.

7. Like Pavlov, one can condition students to get
desired behavior.
EX: Every time a student comes into class in
the morning and begins their work in an
orderly fashion, reward them with a star. After
they get a certain amount of stars, they can
be excused from a homework assignment.
Over time, students will begin their work right
away.

8. Most students love to play on the computer.
You can use technology as a reinforcer to gain
the desired behavior by rewarding students
with computer time.
Ex: The students with the most organized
note books at the end of the week can have 15
minutes on the computer to play educational
games.

9. To sum up..
Behaviorism is a powerful tool that can be
very resourceful in the classroom.
With the right reinforcements and
environment, learning will eventually occur.