The document discusses the learning theory of behaviorism. It describes behaviorism as focusing on conditioning human behavior through positive and negative reinforcement without consideration of internal mental states. It profiles influential behaviorist theorists like Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner. The document also explains how behaviorism can be applied in classroom settings through conditioning students with rewards and punishments. However, it notes that behaviorism may be limited if used as the sole learning approach.

1. Behaviorism
A Learning Theory
Nataly Baez
EME 2040
Baumbach
4.8.12

2. Directory
What is Behaviorism?
Important Figures
Behaviorism in the Classroom
Behaviorism as a Philosophy

3. What is Behaviorism?
1. The prediction and control of human
behavior in which introspection and/or
independent thinking play no essential part
of its teaching methods.

4. What is Behaviorism?
• Learning through a system of positive and
negative rewards.
• Human learning is perceived as purely
objective.
• Learning is manifested by a change in
behavior.
• Learning is accredited to conditioning, or one’s
environment.

5. Notable Figures
• Ivan Pavlov
• B.F. Skinner
• John B. Watson
• Edward Lee Thorndike
• Albert Bandura

6. Ivan Pavlov
1849-1936
• Famous for his behavioral experiments with
dogs.
• Before feeding his dogs Pavlov
would ring a bell. Eventually his
dogs were conditioned to salivate
at the sound of the bell.

7. Ivan Pavlov
• Pavlov used classical conditioning in his
experiment.
– Classical conditioning a learning process that
occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired.
• Pavlov’s experiments revealed that learning
may occur as a direct result of one’s
environment and through a system of
positive and negative reinforcement.

9. Behaviorism in the Classroom
• Teachers would provide students with stimuli
and positive and negative reinforcements.
– Assignments that require memorization would be
ideal for this learning theory.
– Grades can be used as either positive or negative
reinforcements. Other positive reinforcements
include praise, candy, or free time.

10. Behaviorism in the Classroom
• Students would be required to participate in
class activities in order to attain the positive or
negative reinforcements. This would be the
student’s only role.

11. Behaviorism as a Philosophy
• Behaviorism focuses mainly on memorization.
– Memorization may be vital in some lesson plans, and
therefore behaviorism has a place in the classroom.
– In many cases memorization is not necessarily
learning, especially in the language arts department.
• While Behaviorism is useful, I wouldn’t use
this theory as the sole learning system of my
classroom.

12. Behaviorism as a Philosophy
• Classical Conditioning Assignment:
– Teacher provides students with worksheets
throughout the year. This quiz would test students
on their ability to recall important characters they
have read that year.
– Teacher provides a tub of candy. Each student that
receives a percentage of eighty or higher would
receive a candy.

13. Behaviorism as a Philosophy
• The assignment I described uses classical
conditioning to establish different characters
in each student’s mind.
– In this case our worksheets would be thestimuli
and the candy and the grade would be the
positive reinforcement.
– A low score and lack of candy would be the
negative punishment.

14. Works Cited
Barroso, Ary. "Brazil." Perf. Django Reinhardt. Rec. 1947. Quintette
Du Hot Club De France. Django Reinhardt. 1947. MP3.
Pavlov Theory. Perf. John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson.
Www.Youtube.com. 16 Oct. 2011. Web. 9 Apr.
2012.<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE8pFWP5QDM&feat
ure=related>.
Shelly, Gary B., Glenda A. Gunter, and Randolph E. Gunter. "Special
Feature: Learning Theories and Educational Research." Teachers
Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology in a Connected
World. Boston, MA: Course Technology Cengage Learning, 2012.
257-80. Print.