Behaviorism
Jason Vallimont
EDPS603
Behaviorism: B.F. Skinner
Behaviorism focuses on learning as a process of
connections between a stimulus and a response.
Understanding Behavior
Theory
• Understanding behavior theory lies heavily
understanding the roles of stimulus, response, and
reinforcer.
• Stimulus: something that incites to action or
exertion or quickens actions or feelings
• Response: a reaction toe a stimulus
• Reinforcer: is and consequence that strengthens or
weakens the response to a behavior
The Pros and Cons
Behaviorist Pros
Behaviorist Cons
•
Outcomes are standardized
•
Power struggles may occur
•
Students are better behaved
•
•
Assessment is used to give
feedback
Instruction is not as
individualized
•
Students are forced to work
and motivation may lack
•
No responsibility or
ownership on student’s own
learning
•
Focus on facts, no
questioning of material
•
Use of positive reinforcement
•
Focus on facts
•
Textbook gives structure
•
Classes are structured and tend
to make effective use of time
Reinforcement
Positive
Reinforcement
Negative
Reinforcement
• Nice work!
• Ouch!!!!
• A reward
• Something unwanted or a
consequence
Schedules of Reinforcement
Schedule of
Reinforcement
Definition
Example
Fixed Ratio
Reinforcement occurs after a
certain number of responses
have been given
If a student gets a piece
of candy after
answering 3 correct
Variable Ratio
Reinforcement occurs after a Playing a slot machine
variable number of responses
Fixed Interval
Reinforcement is dependant Rewarded after every
on first response, certain time three minutes
frame
regardless of responses
are correct or incorrect
Variable Interval
Reinforcement is dependant
on first response, different
periods of time
Trying to buy tickets
for a concert over the
phone. First call back is
1 minute, next is 30
seconds, next is 10
seconds
Schedules of Reinforcement
• As you can see from the
graph at the right all four
schedules of reinforcement
work at different rates
• The one that offers the the
quickest behavior results is
the variable ratio
• This may be why casinos
are so addicting
How do I make reinforcement
effective?
Behavior Modification
•
http://www.jimwrightonline.com/php/tbrc/tbrc.php
•
The above website is a resource I use to set goals with students that are struggling
academically or behaviorally
•
A meeting is set up with parents, social worker, any team teachers, principal, and
assistant principal.
•
During this meeting we work together to set up 3-5 goals for the student to work.
Generally one goal is set up to ensure the student will have some success, the others
are set for behavior modification
•
This system is monitored on a chart that gives rewards for meeting all goals 8 or
higher and consequences for any goals below 8.
•
We also decide on the rewards and consequence system as a team.
•
This is a way that I use behaviorism in my class it includes positive and negative
reinforcement within a constructivist environment
Resources
•
Bfskinner.org
•
Pokay, P. (2011). Lecture notes from unit 9: Behaviorism.
http://www.offthemark.com/cartoons/1992-02-20.gif
•
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FMQ6FQ-EoSg/TSqFnsWb0I/AAAAAAAAABY/uGtxDvnoGUo/s1600/SkinnerRatCarto
onSM.jpg
•
http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/behavior/operant.html
•
http://evangelistjamescroft.blogspot.com/2007/02/positivereinforcement.html
•
http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/prtut/
•
http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/behsys/behsys.html
Strategies Used
•
Graphic organizer: T-chart and matrix (table) to compare the pros and cons of behaviorism
•
Variety: slides have different formats multiple strategies such as color and bolding, cartoons,
examples, visuals, and graphic organizers
•
Multiple Intelligences: from the learning styles unit the use of cartoons and graphs aid visual
learners
•
Example or Behaviorism: Reinforcement and punishment used in a behavior report card
•
Constructivism: Using students, parents, teachers and support staff to develop goals
•
Behavior report card used for individual students, so it is private reinforcement for students that
need it. This is a better strategy than using it for students that are already doing their job.
•
Goal setting
Behaviorism: My opinion
• I believe that behaviorism ideas are useful in a classroom.
• I do not believe they should be used in isolation from
other strategies
• They should be part of a toolbox used in conjunction
with other strategies to enhance learning not used to
control but modify
• This theory helps to provide structure and ensure the
maximum instructional time is used
• It also helps to push struggling students