Behaviorism as a learning theory: learning is the acquisition of new observable behavior, not a mental process¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 review), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The review presents behaviorism, associated with B.F. Skinner, as a theory in which learning is defined by observable behavior change rather than mental activity. It states that "learning occurs with the acquisition of new behavior" and that behaviorists "rely only on observable behavior in order to learn," treating environmental conditions and incentives as the drivers of learning.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Learning outcomes must be measurable through changes in learner behavior

Constraints¶

• The theory excludes discussion of the human mind and does not take it into consideration, per the review's own critique

Target Learners¶

• classroom language learners

Target Learning Objectives¶

• acquisition of new behavior in language learning

Claims¶

• A non-peer-reviewed web essay asserts, citing an earlier source second-hand, that behaviorist reinforcement methods are very effective in creating positive behavior in almost any learning environment [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Behaviorism

Examples¶

• The behaviorist classroom paradigm: teacher as enforcer, passive learner, reward and punishment, predetermined knowledge
• Use reward and punishment selectively in the classroom while rejecting behaviorism as a comprehensive theory
• Behaviorism

Key Sources¶

• Qais Faryadi. (2007). Behaviorism and the Construction of Knowledge. http://www.juliantrubin.com/bigten/skinnerbox.html