Behaviorist theory believes all behavior is learned through stimulus-response and shaped by reinforcement or punishment. B.F. Skinner's work in operant conditioning showed that behavior is influenced by environmental factors. Positive reinforcement uses rewards to increase a behavior. Negative reinforcement decreases an unpleasant behavior. Punishment decreases an undesirable behavior by introducing an adverse stimulus or removing a positive one. Behaviorists aim to determine effective reinforcements and punishments for students through consistency and timing responses close to behaviors.

1. Behaviorist Theory By: Alyssa Fink

2. Behaviorists believe that… all behavior is learned through the process of stimulus-response behavior is shaped through positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, or punishment.

3. Operant Conditioning B.F. Skinner is credited for his work in operant conditioning This theory suggests that animals and humans behave in specific ways do to their environment. If a behavior is reinforced it will most likely happen again. If a behavior is punished it will decrease in frequency.

4. Positive Reinforcement A pleasurable reward is given after the subject performs the required behavior. Ex. The students receive a piece of candy after they finish reading a chapter book. The students are more likely to read books often if they are rewarded for reading with something that they enjoy. A positive reinforcement can be as simple as giving a student verbal praise after answering a question correctly.

5. Negative Reinforcement The act of taking away something unpleasant after the subject performs the desired task. Ex. Allowing the student to skip a homework assignment if they receive an A on a test. Students dislike doing homework so you are rewarding them by taking it away. This action will stimulate the students to continue earning A’s on tests.

6. Punishment The appearance of something adverse or the disappearance of something positive when the subject performs an undesirable task. Ex. The teacher takes away recess time from Sally for pushing Suzy while they were standing in line. Recess is something that students look forward to. By taking away Sally’s recess the teacher is decreasing the probability that Sally will push again.

7. Punishment Ex. Richey did not complete his homework yesterday. The teacher gives Richey a 0 on that assignment. Richey does not want to receive a 0 for a grade so he is less likely to forget his homework in the future.

8. Behaviorism in the classroom Determine what reinforcements and punishments work best for your students Determine the exact behavior you want the students to learn before giving any response Try to minimize the time between the students action and your response Be consistent when giving reinforcements and punishments to students

9. Click on the icon below to view my Go Animate video on the behaviorist theory.

10. Works Cited “Behaviorism at Learning-Theories.com.” Learning Theories Knowledgebase. Learning Theories., Feb. 2010. Web. 8 Feb. 2010. <http://www.learning-theories.com/‌behaviorism.html>. Elliott, Stephen N, et al. Educational Psychology. 3rd ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2000. 208-218. Print. Gagne, Robert M, et al. Principles of Instructional Design. 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2005. Print.