3. Created the process of classic
Ivan Pavlov
(1849 – 1936)
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.
4. Extended Ivan Pavlov’s work and
John B. Watson
(1878 – 1958)
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.
5. Described operant conditioning as learning
B.F. Skinner
(1904 – 1990)
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.
6. Is famous for his ideas on social learning, which
Albert Bandura
(1925 – Present)
he renamed Social Cognitive Theory.
Focuses on those motivational factors and selfregulatory 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.
7. Key Points of Behaviorism
Prediction and control of human behavior
No dividing line between man and animal
Both learn through positive and negative rewards
Human learning is purely an objective
Classic conditioning
Natural reflex that occurs in response to stimulus
Operant 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. What the teacher does without technology
Give the learner immediate feedback
Break down the task into small steps
Repeat the directions as many times as possible
Modeling- the teacher demonstrates a behavior,
which is then repeated by the student.
Work from the most simple to the most complex task
11. 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 internet
Teacher uses PowerPoint to make presentations to
the class
12. 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.
