1. How Behaviorism Affects Learning in the
Classroom
By Christine P.

2. Table of Contents

What is behaviorism?

The Theorists

Classroom Benefits

Personal Teaching Methods Using Behaviorism

3. What is behaviorism?

Behavior that can be observed

Directly related to the environment

Based on belief that free will does not exist

No need to determine internal thinking

4. What is behaviorism?

Classic conditioning - stimulus and response
method
− Uncontrolled response to
stimulus=controlled response

Operant Conditioning – behavior increase or
decrease
− Uses positive and negative reinforcement

5. The Theorists

Ivan Pavlov
− Experimented with classic conditioning

Albert Bandura
− Social Cognitive Theory
− Learning through observational modeling

Observing someone's behavior and
imitating it

6. The Theorists

B.F. Skinner
− Behaviorist and researcher
− Came up with radical behaviorism

Operant conditioning

Skinner box – invention for
experiments
− Rat pulled lever for food
− Repeated the behavior to get food

7. The Theorists

Positive and negative reinforcement
− Example

rewarded for good
behavior; repeats behavior

8. Classroom Benefits

Observational modeling
− The students model the teacher's
behavior.
− Useful for cleaning around the classroom

The teacher cleans up.

The students follows by example.

9. Classroom Benefits

Behaviorism also helps discourage misbehavior.
− A misbehaved students receives a
punishment.
− He or she does not repeat the behavior
after the punishment.

The teacher reinforces good behavior.

Bad behavior decreases by following
behaviorism.

10. Personal Teaching Methods Using Behaviorism

Behaviorism is helpful as a teacher.

I approve of using operant conditioning.

Students' good behavior should be rewarded.
− Bonus points will be given.
− Snacks are also a good reward.

Bad behavior results to disciplinary actions.
− Detention – time away from recess
− In-school suspension

11. Personal Teaching Methods Using Behaviorism

Observational modeling will also be used.

Students' will show more good behavior.

I will always throw my trash away.
− Students may learn to follow.

Teaching goal
− Being a role model to students