Describe the theorist, theory, or topic in detail ___/40 points

For our final assignment I have chosen to focus on the Behaviorism and Social Learning Theory. I
chose this theory set as it was the most interesting to me as I had heard of some of the theories behind
it as well as some of the experiments that help lead to understandings in the subject. Thought there are
two theories presented here they are usually combined as they share similarities on many aspects and
therefore are closely related. In other words, they “agree” with each other on many levels and can
correlate the findings associated with the theories with each other which makes for better
communications between psychologist and others who are studying child development and behavior. (C
Woodward, 1982). For the behavior aspect, the analytics are focused on how the environment impacts
the development and influences the individual. This was demonstrated by John Watson in the early 20 th
century in his famous experiment with a baby named Albert. He showed Albert a fluffy white rat, to
which the child wanted to pet, however every time he reached for the rat, a loud sharp sound was
played and scared the baby. This was repeated until Albert was reduced to tears every time, he saw the
white rat. This experiment was made famous for the fact that a neutral stimulus was made to become a
negative one with the sound variable. This also brought in critics who questioned the ethnics involved as
its effects on the baby in response to white rats. His experiments were inspired by Ivan Pavlov’s
experiments with salivating dogs at the sound of a bell. His experiments were also seen by some as a
safety mechanism for animals as it creates a negative response to possibly dangerous stimuli that would
originally be preserved as neutral (Berk, 2014). For Social Learning Theory, the use of virtual learning
and imitation and stresses on the importance of cognition and thinking (Berk, 2014). Albert Bandura was
an important contributor to this theory as he emphasized modeling and imitation as an influence of
development. Examples from the book are like when a teenager wears the same cloths and hair style as
her friends and when a baby claps their hands because their mother did so first. (Berk, 2014). To also
add to the uses of this theory, the subject of contagious yawning can be linked to this behavior as well
and act as a way of communication for humans, (Kreitner,1984). There are other theories to the use of
yawning in the animal kingdom but the connection with social learning theory is one of them and is
dually noted in research. This theory talks mainly about how outside influenced effect behavior in
children, and takins into account the prospects of social learning from others to behavior of the
individual to outside stimulus.

Discuss the implications for the classroom and think about the following (40
points):
These theories can be utilized in the classroom by teachers as they follow the basic
human usage of behavior and social abilities of students in any age. For my focus on high
school, image and the ability to “fit in” as well as self-image is immensely important and must
be taken into consideration in terms of how students are going to behave. Students at this age
care very much about what their peers do which effects their behavior as well as their ability to
learn. If other students in the room are not taking things seriously then the possibility that they
themselves will follow suite. To use these theories in a way that would be beneficial is to use
positive reinforcement for the behaviors that you want.
Classroom management: ___/15
For classroom management, modeling and implementing a use of imitation in parallel with the
social aspect of the theory by emulating that as teachers. Our role as education leaders can give a
leading edge on the fact that we can model behaviors for students to imitate. When talking about the
social side of the theory, research tells us that observable learning is key which can be emulated to
students while keeping a strong emphasis on how they think about other people in a social-cognitive
way of thinking (Berk, 2014). The behavior side of the theory depicts that the environment affects the
behavior and should be taken into consideration. Which is why classroom set up that include positions
of desks, wall decorations, placement of board/teacher, as well as the feeling of being safe to learn and
engage in front of other peers is important.

Behavior management: ___/15

Behavior is part of this theory as it talked about how mechanisms that focused on stimuli effect
the behavior of children. With taking this into account there will always be student who are more
energetic and in need of more guidance than other students in the room. Some students will show
different viewpoints as well as uncompilable attitudes to the subject at hand and a different approach is
needed. Certain configurations of the Behaviorism and Social Learning Theory place value on different
types of reinforcement as shown below in figure 1, (Lyons, 2012).

Using these can help with classroom management and can benefit the educative environment
and help students retain important information from the course. Using the right method however can
be tricky and some trial and error will play out within a typical classroom. There are other behavior and
environmental ways to counteract inappropriate behavior that can happen in the classroom. An
environment that is engaging as well as challenging without being too overwhelming creates busy
students. Busy students are less likely to behave out of assignments and complete the task at hand.

Instructional strategies: ___/15

 In looking to use these strategies from the Behaviorism and Social Learning Theory, important
background information from you students is needed to move forward. Understanding their abilities by
looking at evaluations done previously on skills needed for the class, such as reading, writing, and math
skills. Another important piece of working information is the ability to understand how your classroom
learns. There are many kinds of learners, and each student learns in different ways. Coordinating that
carriable with your lessons can help to modify any behaviors that are undesirable. In a classroom
environment constructed for quite independent work will not work very well for kinesthetic learners as
they will become bord and uncomfortable. This will cause behavior problems and modifications will
need to be made.

It is also important again to note the use of imitation and observation within the classroom. As I
said before, the teacher leads the room. A teacher who is confident about their content knowledge, who
seems comfortable and in control of the room and can make the students feel comfortable in the
learning environment is extremely important for educational growth. What can also be implemented for
instruction is the use of roll models. Student from either higher-level grades or those who are more
proficient in a learning subject can be used to initiate learning. This can act as a way for students to
observe what it means to be more appropriately behaved in the classroom as well as give cause for
imitation of students who already have appropriate behavior. One example of this is using highschoolers
to come to grade schools or middle schools and act as tutor, reading helpers, and role model that the
younger students can learn from, (Scheurman, 1998)

Relationships: ___/15
There is different relationships between these theory’s that make them comparable to one
another and allow collaboration between phycologist. Studies and experiments that gave historical
value to both groups took inspiration from others in different field of psychology to influence what is
now modern thinking. As these theories bring more evolved ideas and attributes to the concept, the
better it is to understand how this work together to explain how children think and learn. Because of
this, teachers can utilize this theory basis to help build professional and positive relationships with the
students in the classroom. The understanding of the relationship of cognitive thinking to behaviorism
can aid in achieving goals and expectations from the student, that are easily grasped and demonstrated.

Total: ____/100
Works Cited:
 Woodward, W. R. (1982). The" discovery" of social behaviorism and social learning theory,
1870–1980. American Psychologist, 37(4), 396.
 Lyons, S. D., & Berge, Z. L. (2012). Social learning theory. UMBC Faculty Collection.
 Kreitner, R., & Luthans, F. (1984). A social learning approach to behavioral management: radical
behaviorists “mellowing out”. Organizational Dynamics, 13(2), 47-65.
 Scheurman, G. (1998). From behaviorist to constructivist teaching. Social education, 62(1), 6-9.
 Berk, E. Laura (2014). Development Throught The Lifespan. Roth Wilkofsky.