B F Skinners Theory of Behaviorism Overview Based
B. F. Skinner’s Theory of Behaviorism
Overview Based on Locke’s tabula rosa (clean slate) idea, Skinner theorized that a child is an empty organism (empty vessel) – waiting to be filled through learning experiences. Any behavior can be changed through the use of positive and negative reinforcement. Behaviorism is based on cause and effect relationships.
Positive Reinforcement Skinner showed how positive reinforcement worked by placing a hungry rat in his Skinner box. The box contained a lever in the side and as the rat moved about the box it would accidentally knock the lever. Immediately it did so a food pellet would drop into a container next to the lever. The rats quickly learned to go straight to the lever after a few times of being put in the box. The (positive and good) consequence of receiving food if they pressed the lever ensured that they would repeat the action again and again.
In a classroom What are examples of positive reinforcement in a classroom? ? ?
Negative Reinforcement Skinner showed how negative reinforcement worked by placing a rat in his Skinner box and then subjecting it to an unpleasant electric current which caused it some discomfort. As the rat moved about the box it would accidentally knock the lever. Immediately it did so the electric current would be switched off. The rats quickly learned to go straight to the lever after a few times of being put in the box. The consequence of escaping the electric current ensured that they would repeat the action again and again.
In a classroom? How is negative reinforcement used in the classroom setting?
What is stimulus and response? stim·u·lus (stmy-ls)n. pl. stim·u·li (-l) 1. Something causing or regarded as causing a response. 2. An agent, action, or condition that elicits or accelerates a physiological or psychological activity or response. 3. Something that incites or rouses to action; re·sponse (r-spns)n. 1. The act of responding. 2. A reply or an answer. 3. A reaction, as that of an organism or a mechanism, to a specific stimulus.
Operant Conditioning Operant Conditioning: Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior, through a stimulus and a response. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence (good OR bad) for that behavior.
Video - What is Behaviorism?
Wrap Up What is an example of positive reinforcement? What is an example of negative reinforcement? What is Operant Conditioning?
- Slides: 10