Behaviorism: Understanding Human and Animal Patterns

Behaviorism Andrea Mangrum Liberty University

Behaviorism

Behaviorism” the theory that human and animal behavior can be explained in terms of conditioning without appeal to thoughts or feeling, and psychological disorders are best treated by altering behavior patterns” www.oxford dictionaries.com. One of the major components and theorists associated with this theory is learning and J.B. Watson. Learning is define as” the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill

He was convinced that he could take an ordinary person trained them to become whatever he want them to be. Given the right condition anyone can be trained. His example was to take any healthy infant. Put them in his own special world. Taking or training them to be a doctor, pilot, judge, nurse, and even a crook.
He would succeed without a doubt. Behaviorist believed that not some, but all behaviors was a result of conditioning. Regardless of background, culture, race, ethics, talents you had it could be done. That’ like running track. Take the hundred meter hurdles. Ten in a row, you have to learn how to run and jump at the right time. It’s an event, you have to display the steps or behavior. Run, jump, leap, lift, putting it all together until you get the right combination. That’s conditioning has to have an impact. Most behaviorist interest is feedback.
Christian worldview for learning is Matthew 20:19-20 says “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have command you: and, lo, I am with you always unto the end of the world”www.biblegateway.com. As Christians we are to teach, witness, and make disciples of men, women, boys, and girls. When we teach them to become disciples, they will make more disciple, telling and teaching them about God, and learning to believe and please Him.

We as educators must always plan, create, update information, learn new things, observe other teachers, meeting the student where they are. If we don’t take the time out to teach them they will never know. Giving back to our students what was giving to us. The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 11:19-20 says ”And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and thou risest up”www.biblegateway.com. It’s our duty to teach them everything we know. Even when they don’t want to learn it. We must teach even when we don’t feel like it. They must know. God will hold us accountable for what we have not given them. Our lesson plans must be in order to get them to work, learn and come away with an understanding and skills they need in life to make it. To give our students what they need to go to the next phase or level in their life. We are part of the puzzle. We are the one piece they need to move ahead. Teaching them how to problem solve. “Teachers should provide opportunities for students to be successful in completing tasks they value and see as challenging. Teachers who are intentional about involving students in goal setting and self-assessments will enhance student’s motivation to learn” (McCullough, 2008). We they learn this they will become independent. It’s like reaching their goals and objectives when they get it