Behaviorism is a learning theory introduced by B.F. Skinner that focuses on observable behaviors and responses to stimuli. Learning is viewed as the acquisition of new behaviors through conditioning, whether classical conditioning of innate reflexes or operant conditioning using reinforcement and punishment. In a classroom, behaviorism would shape student behavior quickly using positive or negative feedback, allow students to adapt to the environment, and allow teachers to measure behavior. The document provides examples of how behaviorism could be applied in a classroom through rewards, stickers, and tests.

1. Learning theory-
Behaviorism
By Britany Popovich

2. Table of Contents
 What is behaviorism?
 B.F Skinner
 How would behaviorism be observed in the classroom?
 Behaviorism in my classroom

3. What is Behaviorism?
 Behaviorism is a
developmental theory
primarily introduced by
B.F Skinner
 It measures observable
behaviors produced by a
learners response to
stimuli
 Responses to stimuli can
be reinforced with positive
or negative feedback
 Punishment is often used
in eliminating or reducing
incorrect actions

4. What is Behaviorism? Cont.
 In behaviorism, learning is
the acquisition of new
behavior through
conditioning
 There are two types of
conditioning; classical and
operant conditioning
 Classical conditioning is
when the behavior
becomes a reflex response
to a stimulus ( picture to
the right)
 Operant conditioning is
when there is
reinforcement of the
behavior by reward or
punishment

5. B.F Skinner
 Burrhus Frederic Skinner was born
and raised in Susquehanna,
Pennslyvania.
 At the age of 24 he applied and
was accepted to the psychology
program at Harvard
 As Skinner experimented with rats
he noticed that the responses he
was recording were influenced by
not only what preceded them, but
what followed them as well
 Skinner differed from other
behaviorist during that time
because his main focus was what
occurred after a behavior noting
that the effects or repercussions
of an action could influence an
organisms learning
 By 1931 he had his PhD in
psychology and was well on his
way to developing operant
conditioning

6. B.F Skinner Cont.
 Skinner continued to do
research at Harvard until 1936
 In 1945 Skinner moved to
Bloomington, Indiana where
he served as the chair of the
psycology department until
1948 when he was offered a
position as Harvard
 Skinner remained at Harvard
for the rest of career
 During the 1950’s and 1960’s
Skinner published and
experimented extensively
 1957 he published his book
Verbal Behavior

7. How would it be observed in the
classroom?
 The purpose of behaviorism
is to shape behavior (geared
towards a certain outcome)
by using positive or negative
feedback.
 Reasons that this would be
beneficial in a classroom is
that it:
 1) shapes behavior quickly
 2) learner adapts to the
environment
 3) behavior can be measured

8. How would it be observed in the
classroom? Cont.
 An example of how behaviorism
would be used in the classroom to
shape behavior quickly could involve
a teacher giving “on-time” points to
students that arrived to class on
time that allowed them to purchase
something from the school store.
 An example of how behaviorism
allows the learner to adapt would be
that students learn to write in their
journals every day for this they
would receive a sticker
 An example of how behaviorism
allows the teacher to measure
behavior would be students taking
tests to whether or not they could
answer the questions correctly.

9. Behaviorism in my classroom
 I am a main supporter of behaviorism in the classroom
and will be using this learning theory daily.
 I plan to incorporate behaviorism in my own class from
the very first day.
 I believe that this learning theory is most effective in
gaining a desired outcome from students.
 I hope that I can incorporate behaviorism in my
classroom in a very fun way!

10. Behaviorism in my classroom
continued
 Some ways I wish to incorporate behaviorism in my
classroom is by having certain rewards set up around
the school year that students may or may not earn
depending on their behavior.
 An example of this could be students will receive a
special reward after receiving 10 A’s in a row on
multiplication quizzes
 Another example could include the student that
observed the best behavior that week will be allowed
special privileges for the following week ( such as line
leader, teacher’s helper, etc.)