Pavlov, Skinner, and Bandura were influential behaviorist theorists. Pavlov studied classical conditioning in dogs. Skinner researched operant conditioning using rewards and punishments with pigeons. Bandura contributed the social learning theory that behavior is learned through observation and imitation. Behaviorism views learning as changes in observable behavior due to environmental influences like reinforcement and punishment. In the classroom, teachers can apply behaviorist principles using rewards and consequences to shape student behavior.

1. BEHAVIORISM
M. Clark

2. IVAN PAVLOV (1849-1936)
-ANobel Prize winner in Physiology.
-Famous for his classical
Conditioning technique to train dogs
to salivate to bell tones without the
natural stimulus of food. This
process refers to the natural reflex that
occurs in response to a stimulus.

3. B.F. SKINNER (1904-1990)
-Skinner conducted experiments
with pigeons and the reward system
to train and shape their behavior,
step by step to get the desired
behavior.
- Skinner believes “ that people shape
their behavior based on the rewards or
positive reinforcement they receive.”

4. ALBERT BANDURA
-Bandura is famous for his ideas on
the Social Cognitive theory.
-Bandura believes that people
acquire their behaviors, first by
observing
and then by imitating these
behaviors.

5. KEY POINTS OF
BEHAVIORISM
• Assumes the learner is passive.
• Learning behavior is done solely through a system
of positive and negative reinforcements.
• Both positive and negative reinforcements will
either, decrease or increase, the previous
behavior.
• Learning in Behaviorism, is determined by a
change in the learners behavior.

6. CLASSROOM IMPLICATIONS FOR
TEACHERS
Inside the classroom teachers can find behaviorism including classical
conditioning, operant conditioning, and the social cognitive theory, to be of
practical use. A lot of times in school, especially elementary, teachers use the
reward/punishment system to reinforce good behavior. Both positive and negative
rewards help shape the students behavior to that which is appropriate in the
classroom setting. With some „trouble‟ students, operant conditioning may be
utilized, because little steps of good behavior will be rewarded until the correct
behavior is achieved. The social cognitive theory can be seen in every classroom.
Students are absorbing so much in the classroom. In this way teachers can shape
the students behavior by rewarding „good‟ students and by being a positive role
model.
Online activities help reinforce these behaviorist theories as they most
often have rewards/punishments for the activities. For simple question answer
games, they either reward students with happy faces/positive sounds/points, or
they “punish” with sounds/pictures that have negative connotations.

7. CLASSROOM IMPLICATIONS FOR
STUDENTS
In operant conditioning students will imitate the behavior that is
rewarded by the teacher and will likely lessen the behavior that gets them intro
trouble. For the most part the students will learn to obey the teacher and learn
to do the right things when they are rewarded. Students will strive to do what
is demanded of them in hopes that they will get the desired positive response.
Behaviorism is all about the outcome of the decisions they make, they strive
for positive reinforcement.

8. IMPLICATIONS FOR MY OWN
TEACHING
I believe the theories of behaviorism are the most effective with
younger children because they are always looking for that positive reassurance.
With younger children they are constantly seeking approval and want others to
think well of them. Whether that is in their school work or in their peer group
they will strive to be a part of the accepted, “good group.” This will help
when teaching because I can appropriately reward/ punish for both school
work and behavior. Especially, if I am in 3 rd grade and under, utilizing stickers,
smiley faces or “green-good” stickers, to reward students is an easy way to
encourage the positive behavior.
Also, especially with younger children, they are more easily
influenced so my positive behavior could have a great impact on them. As I
behave in a respective way, they will respond and hopefully act accordingly as I
set high standards of behavior for them.

9. CREDIT
"Albert Bandura." FSU Faculty/Staff Personal Page Web Server Index. Web. 28
Nov. 2011.
<http://faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/psyography/albertbandura.h
tml>.
"Behaviorism." Learning Theories. Web. 22 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.learning-theories.com/behaviorism.html>.
"Behaviourism." Learning and Teaching Home. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/behaviour.htm>.
"Ivan Pavlov." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Nov. 2011.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Pavlov>.
"LearningTheory." Cognitive Design Solutions. Web. 28 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.cognitivedesignsolutions.com/Instruction/LearningTh
eory.htm#Skinner>.