Behaviorism and Cognitivism Learning Theories
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John B Watson, Behaviorism Theorist
Given credit for popular term “Behaviorism”
Urged scientific study of observable behaviors
View of Behaviorism was a reaction to introspection (researchers using
selves as research subjects) and Freud’s study of consciousness
Little Albert Study – pairing neutral stimulus (white furry rabbit) and
unconditioned stimulus (loud noise) created fear as a response when
showing a white furry rabbit to 9 month old child
Robert Gagne, Cognitive Theorist
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Famous for his “Conditions of Learning”
Nine Events of Instruction – gain attention, inform student of objectives,
stimulate recollection of prior learning, present stimulus material, provide
student guidance, elicit performance, provide feedback, assess
performance, enhance retention transfer
His work also known as Gagn’es assumption – Different types of learning
exist due to conditions in instructional environment
Behaviorism Learning Theory
• Student is passive, responding to environmental stimuli
• Clean slate (tabula rasa) – behavior shaped by positive or negative
reinforcement/punishment
• Reinforcement increases likelihood of behavior re-occurring
• Punishment decreases likelihood of behavior re-occurring
Cognitive Learning Theory
• Mind is compared to a computer – information goes in and is
processed
• Focuses on inner mental activities – opening the “black box” of the
human mind is important in understanding how we learn
• Mental processes need exploration – thinking, learning,
remembering, problem solving
• Learning is defined as changing a person’s schema, or knowledge
Cognitive Learning Theory
• Students are not considered “programmed animals” like they are in
Behaviorism
• We are rational beings that need to actively participate in order to
learn
• Actions are results of thinking
• Behavioral changes show what is going on in a student’s mind
How Behaviorism and Cognitivism Impact
Teaching
• Both theories are used to help determine how students learn
• Behaviorism – Students “learn” by changing behaviors in response
to environmental stimuli
• Cognitivism – Students learn by actively participating in the learning
exercises, focus on mental processes
Applicability of Behaviorism for Teaching
• Not as widely used as it was in early 1900’s
• Students learning by changing behaviors in response to stimuli not
as effective as in the past
• Does not take into account mental processes – thinking, problem
solving, remembering
Applicability of Cognitivism in Teaching
• Students learn better by actively participating
• Focuses on knowledge, problem solving, understanding
Works Cited
Behaviorism. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2008, from Learning-Theories.com. Website:
http://www.learning-theories.com/behaviorism.html
Cognitivism. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2008, from Learning-Theories.com. Website:
http://www.learning-theories.com/cognitivism.html
Cognitivism vs. Behaviorism in Learning Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2008, from
greenspun.com. Website: http://hv.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0056KI
Plucker, Jonathan. (n.d.). John B. Watson (1878 – 1958) – Popularizing Behaviorism, The Little Albert
Study, The “Dozen healthy Infants”, Life After the University. Retrieved October 12, 2008, from
Education Encyclopedia – StateUniversity.com. Website:
http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2543/Watson-John-B-1878-1958.html.
Robert M. Gagne. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2008, from Wikipedia. Website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_M_Gagn%C3%A9.