Behaviorism is a theory that views human learning as the prediction and control of behavior through stimulus-response associations, without appeal to mental states. The major figures associated with behaviorism are Ivan Pavlov, known for his experiments conditioning dogs' reflexes; B.F. Skinner, who used operant conditioning to shape animal and human behavior; and Albert Bandura, who incorporated cognitive factors like observational learning and self-efficacy. Behaviorism influenced classroom practices through positive reinforcement of desired behaviors with rewards.

1. BehaviorismBy: Frank Cox

2. What is Behaviorism?It is the prediction and control of human behavior in which introspection and/or independent thinking form no essential part of its method. Came into vogue during the time period (that coincided with the Industrial Revolution) called modernism, in which everything of value was measure solely in terms of science. Behaviorist believe human learning is purely an objective and experimental branch of natural science, and see no dividing line between man and animal.

3. People Associated with This TheoryIvan PavlovB.F. SkinnerAlbert Bandura

5. Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)Became famous for his behavioral experiments with dogs, he used a conditioning to teach dogs to salivate when he rang a bell when there was food, eventually the dogs would salivate even without food. This process was termed classic conditioning. He used this experiment to study digestion, but other behaviorists used his work as an example of stimulus response and felt it could work in humans too!

6. Comedic picture of the dog in Pavlov’s experiment thinking when he drools, through classic conditioning, he will make Pavlov smile and write in his book.

7. B.F. Skinner (1904-1990)Experimented with pigeons using operant conditioning, which is learning that is controlled and results in shaping behavior through the reinforcement of stimulus-response patterns. He would reward the pigeons if they behaved in a desired manner, and used this to teach pigeons to dance and bowl (in a specially constructed bowling alley)Believed that people shape their behavior based on positive reinforcement or rewards they receive. Many classroom management techniques and forms of computer based instruction and educational software are based on Skinner’s operant conditioning.

8. Comedic picture of Skinner’s stimulus-response techniques!

9. Albert Bandura (1925- )Has studied and is famous for his ideas on social learning, which he renamed Social Cognitive Theory, which focuses on those motivational factors and self-regulatory mechanisms that contribute to a person’s behavior, rather than just environmental mechanisms. Believes that people acquire behaviors, first through the observation of others and then by using those observations to imitate what they have observed. This theory is based on observational modeling, watching something and then mimicking the observed behavior. In later years, he focused his work on the concept of self-efficacy, which is a personal observation about one’s perceived ability to feel, think, and motivate oneself to learn.

10. Albert Bandura (continued)He began to analyze a person’s personality through the interaction of three things 1. the environment 2. the behavior 3. the person’s psychological processHe then considered a person’s ability to retain information through images in the mind, called imagery. He then joined the position of cognitivists.

11. Classroom Implications (Teacher’s Use)With Technology:Using computer programs that give positive feedback for a correct answer. Without Technology:Giving a reward (a piece of candy) for a correct answer to a question.

12. Classroom Implications (Student’s Use)With Technology:Using the internet to research something for homework, so they can be rewarded when they turn it in. Without Technology:Hearing a song a knowing a task must be completed before the song is finished.

13. What do I Think?I would definitely use this theory, especially if I was working with younger children. I would use Skinner’s theory and stimulus-response to get my students to not only know what desired behavior is, but also make them want to do it.