Behaviourism is a school of throught attributed to B.F Skinner, John B. Watson and Edward Thorndike. They believed that observable behaviors were the only thing within the science of psychology that could be understood with any degree of certainty. There are four dimensions to behaviorism:

1. The Processes of Learning- No difference between the learning process of humans and animals (Pavlovs bell test for example)

2. The Sources of Ability- an observable stimulus produces an observable behavior,

3 Infastructure- once we understand behavior, we can design systems to control it.

4.Measuring Learning- capacities for behavior modification vary from person to person and animal to animal.

In regards to the classroom, behaviorism it can be challenging to not make it a more student centered approach. In a behaviorist educational approach learning goals and standards are measurable and clearly set. It also includes both systermaic praise and recognititon of accomplisments. Behaviorists place emphasis on the positive roles of praise in order to modify student behavior. Praise is more affective to use for positive reinforcement in comparison to material reinforcement such as candy and prizes. I found this relevant, particularly in regards to teaching in a Korean classroom. While living and teach abroad in Seoul, I remember discussing behaviorism as it applies to both American and Korean teachers, I felt I was much more limited in the praise that I gave my students. A study that tested Intention Vs. Orientation and the variation in responses between Native and Non native teachers found that to be true. "The Korean teachers’ praising styles (Types 2-5) were more diverse compared to the American teachers. Their styles also showed clear intentions (controlling vs. non-controlling) and orientation (more praising vs. less praising)" (Bang). The Behaviorist theory also has a place in the ESL classroom through the belief that language is learned through memorization and mimicry.

This shows a good example of positive reinforcement in the ESL classroom, as well as the method of mimicry for memorization.

The second video is one of my favorite examples of Operant Conditioning and a very unique, almost mildly bizarre example of positive enforcement that gets students to complete their work on time and line up in an organized manner.