Behaviorism

Overview of Behaviorism

Behaviorism is a theory in psychology that focuses on the effort to change a subject's observable behavior through a controlled environment. The role of the subject in the learning process is to be acted upon by the environment; the subject forms associations between stimuli and changes behavior based on those associations (Brau, et 2023).

Key Psychologists of Behavorism

Ivan Pavlov

1849-1936

Pavlov's theory was the first to explore classical conditioning and is well known for his experiment on conditioning dogs to salivate by associating the sound of a tone (Bau et al., 2023).

Edward Thorndike

1874-1949

Regarded as the first to study operant conditioning and pioneered the law of effect. His puzzle box experiment suggested that learning between a particular stimulus and a response can be achieved (Bau et al., 2023).

John B. Watson

1878-1958

Watson was the first to use human test subjects in experiments on classical conditioning. The controversial "Little Albert" experiment taught an infant to be afraid of a rat. Though his experiment was unethical, it made psychologists wonder if new conditions could undo old conditions in adults (CrashCourse, n.d).

B.F. Skinner

1904-1990

Introduced the idea of radical behaviorism and defined operant conditioning. His invention, the Skinner box highlighted the relationship between reinforcement and punishment. The learner is rewarded for responding correctly as they try to master the material at their own pace and are less likely to repeat behavior that punishable (Bau et al., 2023).

Implications of Behaviorism for Instructional Design

Behaviorism is a part of our actions and reactions (Keramida, 2015). It is natural for educators and eLearning professionals to use tests and assessments to examine the learners' observable and measurable behavior to further guide and optimize their learning (Keramida, 2015). The aim of a behavioristic-oriented Instructional Design strategy for eLearning must be to provide learners with the appropriate stimuli, that is with opportunities that help them demonstrate that they are able to express desired behaviors that prove that learning has actually taken place (Keramida, 2015). The same approach can be applied to classroom teachers in terms of wanting to achieve specific classroom behavior management such as CHAMPS or using noise level apps to reinforce certain acceptable noise levels. Behaviorism is relevant in instructional design because it concludes that learning is occurring but, it is not the only approach.

Strengths and Limitations of Behaviorism in Corporate Training

Strengths of Behaviorism in Corporate Training

Reinforcing desired and weakening undesired behavior-importance of feedback through positive comments
Gamebase learning
Setting desired options as default
Incorporating case studies and scenarios

Limitations of Behavorism in Corporate Training

Limitations on higher-order thinking

References

Bates, T. (2022). Teaching in a Digital Age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning (3rd ed.). Tony Bates Associates Ltd. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/teachinginadigitalagev3m/

CrashCourse. (n.d.). Home [YouTube channel].Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@crashcourse

Keramida, M. (Ed.). (2015, May 28). Behaviorism in instructional design for eLearning: When and how to use it. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/behaviorism-in-instructional-design-for-elearning-when-and-how-to-use

Rhodes, L. (2019, September 18). Behavioral science improves employee training. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/behavioral-science-improves-employee-training

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