Behaviorism And Behaviourism

1570 Words4 Pages

John Locke, a physiologist from the 1700s stated that children are born as a “blank slate” and are continually shaped by their experiences. The principles behind behaviourism explain, in this case, the conditioning of a child and how this is achieved. This is done so without regards to thoughts or feelings, and that psychological disorders are best treated by altering behaviour patters (Q. Faryadi 2007). Behaviourism is a key area in the teaching of children and allows for the conditioning of children. However, by around 1930, Watson’s behaviourism begun to arise doubts in the scholars of the time and many psychologists questioned if this was the correct method of controlling children. (J. Moore 2011). Modern, contemporary classrooms must be “up to date” and technologically advanced, however, it is the underlying importance of teaching methodology that is key. In this essay, the idea of the focus on the behaviouristic methods are assed as well as how it should be integrated into the modern day classroom.
Behaviourism is defined by google as “the theory that human and animal behaviour can be explained in terms of conditioning, without appeal to thoughts or feelings, and that psychological disorders are best treated by altering behaviour patterns.” It relies on the positive and negative reinforcement of behaviour giving the individual an underlying psychological condition towards a certain trait. In the study of phobias of individuals (2003), we see how the constant exposure or conditioning is a method of overcoming the psychological issue. These can later be incorporated into a hierarchy for exposure practices, by gradually eliminating reliance on safety strategies as the study progresses (Antony,M 2003). The constant exposure ...

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... classroom, it enables the flaws in the behaviourist theory to be minimised. it allows for personal expression, something that the elementary behaviourist approach lacks and builds more “well-rounded” individuals.

Modern classrooms are essential to students and their education. the learning space should be contemporary and enable for learners of all learning styles and methods. it is essential that focus is on the learner and that their environment is created to aid them. As stated, it is important for classrooms to implement both a behaviourist approach as well as a social-cultural approach. this allows for the lack of intimate education with the child on a personal level to be achieved and create self-fulfilled learners. It caters for a broader range of teaching and allows for students to be taught more creative principles, where the behaviourist approach fails.

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