1. Behaviorism: A Learning
Theory
By: Samantha Pickering

2. Behaviorism Defined
 “a school of psychology that takes the
objective evidence of behavior (as
measured responses to stimuli) as the
only concern of its research and the
only basis of its theory without
reference to conscious experience”
Source: http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/behaviorism

3. Key Players in Behaviorism
 Ivan Pavlov
 Conducted an
experiment with dogs in
which a bell was rung
every time the canines
were fed. Subsequently,
the dogs learnt to
salivate at the sound of
the bell because they
associated it with food.
 This method of training
was called “classical
conditioning.”
Photo Credit: Wikipedia.com

4. Key Players in Behaviorism
 B.F. Skinner
 Skinner is responsible for
the term “operant
conditioning.”
 Skinner heavily
emphasizes that positive
reinforcement is the most
effective way to
encourage a desirable
behavior.
 Negative reinforcement
will extinguish a behavior
Photo Credit: Wikipedia.com

5. Key Players in Behaviorism
 Albert Bandura
 Bandura’s focus in
behaviorism was social
learning
 Bandura’s theories differ
from Skinner’s and
Pavlov’s because they
did not depend exlusively
on external stimulation
 Bandura believes that
mechanisms within a
person contribute to
behavior
Photo Credit: 5122psychology.pbworks.com

6. Reinforcement of a Behavior
Positive Reinforcement
Involves the increasing of a stimulus
Negative Reinforcement
Involves the decreasing of a stimulus
Punishment
Aims to decrease the chance of a behavior
occurring again
Can be positive or negative
Source: http://www.learning-
theories.com/behaviorism.html

7. Behaviorism in Education
Teachers can use behavior modification to
enhance their students’ learning experience
It is important to keep in mind that each child
is an individual, and may respond differently
to stimuli than his or her peers
Teachers should have a premeditated system
of reinforcements and punishments that are
applicable to their classExamples of Positive
and Negative Reinforcement

8. The Theory in Practice
Teachers should reward positive
behaviors, such as good attendance
and consistently maintaining good
conduct
Examples of rewards would be lunch
with the teacher, extra computer time,
or a class party (if the whole class is
being rewarded)

9. The Theory in Practice
Teachers should punish undesirable
behaviors
An example of positive punishment
would be assigning a student extra
work for not paying attention
An example of negative punishment
would be revoking a privilege from a
student, such as recess

10. The Theory in Practice
Teachers should punish undesirable
behaviors
An example of positive punishment
would be assigning a student extra
work for not paying attention
An example of negative punishment
would be revoking a privilege from a
student, such as recess