BEHAVIORISM
C
Elementary Math
Associated with Theory
• Ivan Pavlov
• B.F. Skinner
• Albert Bandura
Behaviorism Key Points
Behaviorism is the prediction and control of human behavior in which
introspection and/or independent thinking play no essential part of its teaching
methods
• Classic Conditioning - the reflex of the that occurs in response to a stimulus. (Teachers
Discovering Computers, Pg. 258)
• Operant Conditioning - describes learning that is controlled and results in shaping
behavior Social (Teachers Discovering Computers, Pg. 259)
• Social Cognitive Theory - learned behaviors through observation, modeling, and
motivation such as positive reinforcement. (Teachers Discovering Computers, Pg. 260)
• Observation Modeling - watching something and then mimicking the observed behavior
(Teachers Discovering Computers, Pg. 260)
• Self Efficacy - personal observation about one's perceived ability to feel, think, and
motivate oneself to learn (Teachers Discovering Computers, Pg. 261)
Teacher Implications
Classic Conditioning (Pavlov):
• The teachers release the students when the school bell rings at the end of
the day and everyone gets excited because they get to go home.
Operant Conditioning (Skinner):
• The teacher allows the student to pick something out of the treasure box if
he/she behaves well and stays on green for the whole week.
• The teacher gives the student a sticker on their paper when he/she
finishes their work.
Social Cognitive theory (Bandura):
• The teacher shows the children how to write out a math problem and
then expects the student to write it just like he/she did.
Student Implications
Classic Conditioning (Pavlov):
• The student watches and becomes accustomed or reflexive to the bell and
is able to recognize that when the bell rings it is time to go home.
• According to Pavlov, if the student hears the bell every day and they are
dismissed whenever they hear the bell, they will associate it with going
home.
Operant Conditioning (Skinner):
• The students try to behave their best and do their work correctly in order to
get a positive reward/response from the teacher. For example, the treasure
box at the end of the week.
Social Cognitive theory (Bandura):
• The student must observe and be able to mimic the actions of the teacher
in order to succeed.
Our Thoughts
Behaviorism is an amazing concept for teachers to use,
especially for younger students. At younger ages, students will be
motivated by rewards and taught lesson by receiving a
punishment. This theory focuses a lot on rewards and punishments
so for a younger age group, this would be the perfect theory for a
teacher to use. This theory also focuses on learning by observing
the people around you. So as a teacher, you are able to teach
them a lot just by being around the students and showing them
good behavior while also teaching them all the lessons that they
need to learn to excel in class.
QUIZ TIME
First things First…
• After reading the question…
Click on the right answer!!!
• Whenever you are done reading the
slide and see an arrow… CLICK ON IT!!!
Question #1
•During what period of time did behaviorism
come into vogue?
•A. Renaissance
•B. Modernism
•C. Realism
•D. Baroque
Question #2
•Fill in the blank: When Ivan Pavolv conducted his
experiment with dogs he provided the _______
(stimulus) in order to get _______ (the reflex).
•A. Salivation, Food
•B. Water, Tricks
•C. Food, Salivation
•D. Toys, Food
Question #3
•Who believes that people shape their behavior
based on rewards or positive reinforcements
received?
•A. Ivan Pavlov
•B. Albert Bandura
•C. Allan Paivio
•D. B.F. Skinner
Question #4
Bandura believes that people acquire behavior
first through, what?
A. the observation of others.
B. the observation of themselves.
C. the appearance of classmates.
D. the appearance of siblings.