EME 2040

VALERIA N , BRANDI M, L INDA R, AND BERTHA P

Behaviorism

Theorists Associated With Behaviorism

Ivan PavlovJohn B. WatsonB.F. SkinnerAlbert Bandura

Ivan Pavlov(1849 – 1936)

Created the process of classic conditioning by teaching dogs to associate the ringing of a bell with food. As a result, the dogs began to salivate when they heard the bell, even if the food was not present.

His experiments were intended to study digestion, but other behaviorists studied his work as an example of stimulus response.

Won the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1904

These experiments made classic conditioning famous.

John B. Watson(1878 – 1958)

Extended Ivan Pavlov’s work and applied it to human beings.

Is famous for his experiment with Albert, an 11 month old infant, who he trained to become afraid of a white rat by pairing it with a very loud, jarring noise.

The implications of his experiment suggested that classic conditioning could cause some phobias in humans.

B.F. Skinner(1904 – 1990)

Described operant conditioning as learning that is controlled and results in shaping behavior through the reinforcement of stimulus-response patterns.

Conducted experiments with pigeons by rewarding them when he saw them behaving in a desired manner. Using this technique, he was able to teach pigeons to dance and play bowling.

Believed that people shape their behavior based on the rewards or positive reinforcement they receive.

Many classroom management techniques are based on Skinner’s principles of his stimulus-response theory.

Albert Bandura(1925 – Present)

Is famous for his ideas on social learning, which he renamed Social Cognitive Theory.

Focuses on those motivational factors and self-regulatory mechanisms that contribute to a person’s behavior, rather just environmental mechanisms.

Believes that people acquire behaviors, first, through the observation to imitate what they have observed. This concept is known as observational modeling.

His ideas on social learning have been applied in the context of behavior modification, which is widely used in training programs.

Recently, his work focuses on the concept of self-efficacy.

Bandura analyzes a person’s personality through the interaction of three things: the environment, the behavior, and the person’s psychological processes.

Key Points of Behaviorism

Prediction and control of human behaviorNo dividing line between man and animal

Both learn through positive and negative rewardsHuman learning is purely an objectiveClassic conditioning

Natural reflex that occurs in response to stimulusOperant conditioning

Controlled learning that results in shaping behavior through reinforcement of stimulus-response patterns

Observational modeling Watching something and mimicking the behavior observed

Self-efficacy Personal observation of one’s ability to feel, think, and motivate oneself to learn

What do students do under this theory

Without technology: Behavior modification through positive reinforcement Students give each other positive feedback

With technology: Using learning management systems, such as Canvas, give

students receive feedback quickly Students use Skype to communicate with teachers for

additional help on assignments

What the teacher does without technology

Teacher uses positive and negative reinforcement a. Positive reinforcement when a desired behavior occurs b. Negative reinforcement when the student doesnot provide

the desired behavior

Punishment a. Positive Punishment- something is added to decrease

undesired behavior b. Negative Punishment- something is removed to decrease

undesired behavior

What the teacher does without technology

Give the learner immediate feedbackBreak down the task into small stepsRepeat the directions as many times as possibleModeling- the teacher demonstrates a behavior,

which is then repeated by the student.Work from the most simple to the most complex task

What the teacher does with technology

Use the computers in the classroom to reinforce topics covered. a. drill-and-practice software b. praise correct answer to tutorial software

Integrate games Allow students to use the internetTeacher uses PowerPoint to make presentations to

the class

What you think about the theory for your own teaching

Behaviorism is a good theory to use in teaching because it is based on a system of positive and negative rewards. For many students, this type of conditioning is good for their learning. B.F. Skinner believed that people base their behavior based on the rewards they receive. If students see that they are receiving positive reinforcement with the actions they are doing, the chances are high of them continuing to do the same actions and will enjoy learning because students like the positive feedback they receive.

References

http://www.learning-theories.com/classical-conditioning-pavlov.html

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1904/pavlov_postcard.jpg

http://eweb.furman.edu/~einstein/watson/jbwform.jpghttp://www.cognitivedesignsolutions.com/images/BFSkinner2.jpghttp://news.stanford.edu/news/2007/december5/gifs/

graw_bandura.jpgTextbook pages 258-261http://www.learning-theories.com/behaviorism.htmlhttp://blog.ps119amersfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/

pavlovs_dog.jpeg