Behaviorism By Sarah Kidwell

Ivan Pavlov1 B.F. Skinner2 Alberto Bandura3

Key Points4 Behaviorism: Is a doctrine Views human learning through an objective, scientific lense Places humans on an equal behavioral footing with animals

Behaviorism & The Teacher4 Teachers: Focus only on behavior of students Use positive and negative reinforcement Direct behavior rather than develop critical thinking Teachers may accomplish these goals by: Using computer time as a reward for desired behavior Putting a student into a corner for undesired behavior Focusing on math, history, and science over reading and writing

Behaviorism & The Student4 Students: Are not allowed introspection Focus on achieving rewards or avoiding punishment Students may accomplish these goals by: Performing in-class experiments without evaluating the results Using an overhead projector for math without discussing it with classmates

My Thoughts on Behaviorism I do not think behaviorism has a place in the classroom and do not find it practical for teaching at all. Teachers should encourage children to think critically, to self-evaluate, and to process on high cognitive levels. Focusing on behavior rather than overall attitude will lead to children acting out. Even if the desired result it is achieved, it is not through means that create the best future active citizen.

Get Ready for a Quiz! The following slides will test your knowledge of the information you have just read about behaviorism. When presented with a question, click on what you believe to be the correct answer.

Question One: Who of the following is one of the key figures of behaviorism? Alberto Bandura Alberto Bandit Carlo Bandura Sigmund Freud

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Question Two: Teachers adhering to behaviorism focus on what? Fitness and Nutrition Behavior Critical Thinking Dependence On Authority

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Question Three: Behaviorism views human learning in what way? Diversely Emotionally Scientifically Indifferently

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Question Four: Students of behaviorism are not allowed what? Reinforcement To Laugh Introspection Family

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Sources http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1904 /pavlov-bio.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bhskin.html http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/bandura.htm http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/behaviorism/