B.F. Skinner Behaviorist

B.F. Skinner Behaviorist

1. Philosophy of Behaviorism

   • Learners are "passive", merely responding to the environment they're in.
     • Lessons are learned through operant conditioning.
       • Operant Conditioning (you can ensure something performs acts that you want through reinforcing behavior with stimulus)
         • Positive Reinforcement (add stimulus)
           • Reward a student by giving them treats or punish them by giving them extra work.
         • Negative Reinforcement (remove stimulus)
           • Reward a student by letting them skip work or punish them by removing privileges.
         • Students need to be taught how to act through conditioning them to enjoy doing it.
       • Huitt, William G. "Educational Psychology Interactive: Operant Conditioning." Educational Psychology Interactive: Operant Conditioning. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2015. <http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/behavior/operant.html>.
     • Teaching is thus meant to be designed to most efficiently have students respond.
       • Classes are very "clinical" i.e. straightforward, with regimented periods for free expression and clearly-defined goals and punishments.
   • "What is “good” for the individual is reinforced by his genetic makeup, by his previous history of reinforcement and by the en vironmental contingencies. What is “good for others” is derived from human interaction and culture."
     • Ardila, Rubén. "B.F. SKINNER AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE AND TO HUMAN CULTURE." B.F. SKINNER AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE AND TO HUMAN CULTURE (n.d.): 13. Www.rubenardila.com. National University of Columbia. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.rubenardila.com/SKINNER%20AND%20HIS%20CONTRIBUTIONS.PDF>.
     • Basically, all positive behavior is learned. Humans are 'trainable' in a sense that you can influence them to do what you want through conditioning.

2. Famous Works

   • Operant Conditioning Chamber (Skinner Box)
     • Seal an animal in the chamber, and train it to press a button to receive food.
       • Cherry, Kendra. "Skinner Box." About Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2015. <http://psychology.about.com/od/sindex/g/def_skinnerbox.htm>.
       • He even used this on his baby daughter!
   • "Beyond Freedom and Dignity"
     • Controversial book describing the "best" way to improve society is through harsh punishments and widespread behaviorism
   • "The Technology of Teaching"
     • Book describing the way teachers can best learn how to teach their students: by understanding the science behind learning and behavior.
       • Offers the most obvious view of Skinner's ideas about teaching, and is the main source of his impact on education.

3. Impact on Education

   • Skinner's philosophy was used to influence large amounts of educational reform in the 50's and 60's, but has now largely become ignored in favor of more ethical, progressive philosophies.
     • The belief that students can be programmed like machines is something almost fundamental to stricter forms of education, and modern views on this take primarily from Skinner's studies.
   • Skinner's book "The Technology of Teaching" supported and built upon the idea of individualized teaching and goal-based education.
     • "something as simple as “the opportunity to move forward after completing one stage of an activity” can be an effective reinforcer" (Skinner, 1961, p. 380)
       • The idea of defining goals and striving to make your student reach them, you can give the student a definite idea to work towards, motivating them.

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