Behaviorism

Behaviorism is a branch of psychology that when applied to a classroom setting, focuses on conditioning student behavior with various types of behavior reinforcements and effects called operant conditioning. In another words, behaviorism, is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. This conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment.  Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shape our actions.

The principles and techniques of behavioral engineering go back to Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner.

Although many people refuse the concept of behavioral engineering, it has increasingly become part of the educational process.

 Watson believed that psychology could become a science when it became possible to predict responses from stimuli, psychology should be objective and experimental.

Methods

According to Behaviorist, teachers have many rewards or reinforcement at their disposal, including praise, a smile, a touch, stars, or candies. Many people have questioned the use of intrinsic rewards but behaviorist claim that they are only to be in place of intrinsic one that should be encouraged later. Studies indicate that rewards need to be given every time. Many outcomes are observed such as:

1.      Specify the desire outcome, what needs to be changed, and how it will be evaluated.

2.      Establish a favorable environment by removing unfavorable stimuli that might complicate learning.

3.      Choose the proper enforcers for desired behavioral manifestation.

4.      Begin shaping desired behavior by using immediate reinforces for desired behavior.

5.      Once a pattern of desired behaviors has begun, slacken the numbers of times reinforces are given.

6.      Evaluate results and reassess for future development.

Role of Teacher

Concerning the role of teacher in behaviorism, all teachers use behavioral techniques of one of another in their classrooms. Teacher condition students through grades, their attitudes toward them, gestures, and in many other ways.

Also, teacher may fail to reward an appropriate behavior in a timely manner. This often happens in a school were one teacher might reward a particular behavior but another teacher might mot.

Skinner and other behaviorist would like to see some consensus among educators as to the kinds of behavior they would like to see reinforced and then use proven methods of conditioning to achieve such behaviors.

One of the most important things a teacher can do is to learn the theory and the techniques of conditioning process. Teachers must not learn the techniques of conditioning but also use them effectively.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, according to Pavlov, Watson and Skimmer, the Behavioral Approach is based on the learning theory, excluding feelings and thoughts. People behave on some way as a learned response that has previously been reinforced from stimulus.