Behaviorism and education

1. Behaviorism and Education

2. Behaviorism Behaviorism is an a pproach to psychology based on the belief that all human actions   and responses   can be explained in terms of reflexes conditioned by reward   and punishment . Behaviorists look at learning as an aspect of conditioning and will advocate a system of rewards and targets in education.

3. The learning Theorists

4. Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Pavlov did a famous experiment that demonstrate the theory of classical conditioning He is known for using dogs for behavioral tests. He used a bell to teach the dogs to know that food was being given and it resulted in the dogs salivating while waiting for the food. This became known as classical conditioning.  

5. E dvard Thorndike (1874-1949) Thorndike i s known for the theory he called the law of effect   , which emerged from his research on how cats learn to escape from puzzle boxes. According to the law of effect, responses that are immediately followed by a satisfactory outcome become more strongly associated with the situation and are therefore more likely to occur again in the future   . In his view ,   b ehaviors and responses that are rewarded will become strengthened and habitual .

6. John B. Watson(1878-1958) Watson believed that human behavior resulted from specific stimuli that elicited certain responses. Watson's basic premise was that conclusions about human development should be based on observation of overt behavior rather than speculation about subconscious motives or latent cognitive processes.

7. B.F Skinner (1904-1990) Skinner believed that the best way to understand behavior is to look at the causes of an action and its consequences. He called this approach operant conditioning . O perant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior .

8. Examples of operant conditioning When a person makes something that we approve , he or she must be rewarded When a person makes something that we do not approve , he or she must be punished Memory as a key to success

9. The learning goals learning task – based learning improving student’s memory throwing out bad behaviour

10. The role of a trainer giving students positive reinforcement providing stimulus materials Dividing the task into small steps Working from the most simple to the most complex assignments

11. The role of a student Responding to the reinforcement Asking question for more clarity to the directions Asking for feedback Practising to remove old habits

12. Advantages and disadvantages Advantages Excellent scores By learning programmed - instructions , learnes may be good athletics or have some other aptitudes Disadvantages requires only low - level thinking

13. Sources http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesmz/p/edward-thorndike.htm http://abanksto.myweb.uga.edu/portfolio/bankston_learning.pdf http://educ6040fall10.wikispaces.com/ Behaviorism http://www.edudemic.com/a-simple-guide-to-4-complex-learning-theories/