"Behaviorism' The measurement and observation of behavior.

"Behaviorism" The measurement and observation of behavior.


Through study of the word "Behaviorism" I have found from the psychologist and theory setting patriarchs of this term that every one of these methods of teaching and instructing are being used everyday in various classrooms across the country and possibly the world. I at times have a stubbornness about me that doesn't always open up to another way of doing things, if I don't feel its right. I can now see how each situation defines itself soley and based upon it compatible teaching methods are vital to achieve the maximum amount of learning.

In my school I choose to focus on positive reinforcement. I have noticed the difference between night and day in my students verses the same students with other teachers. I follow and enforce the same rules that every else does, but positive reinforcement makes a person go the extra mile. Such as; giving a big smile when you see a student doing the right thing or finding a way unique to that person to reward a job well done. I don't believe this is something that is done all day everyday, although I do feel that if a teacher is truly in touch with his/her students the proper time for positive reinforcement will become obvious and quite noticeable.

I find that this method is most effective in dealing with the students who are going down the wrong path and need a little incentive to stay on course. "....When a behavior is unacceptable, it can be replaced by new behaviors..."(Parkay & Hass, 2000). Understanding each students stimuli will be a great assist in finding the thing that makes that individual student "tick" thus supporting the implementation of any behaviorist theory or strategy.