On-line Resources
Overview of the Behavioral Perspective at Ed Psych Interactive (2006).
- Terms defined: behaviorism, stimulus, response, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and extinction.
- Terms defined: stimulus, resonse, classical conditioning, conditioned stimulus, unconditioned stimulus, conditioned response, unconditioned response.
- Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is the application of operant conditioning.
- ABA Introduction Video: This 3 minute video describes the purpose and process of ABA within the classroom. Many teachers struggle identifying feasible, inexpensive reinforcers. This video provides some great examples of specific reinforces that worked for individual students.
- Kinds of Reinforcement and Punishment Chart at Reinforcement & Punishment Chart.
Distinguises between positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, presentation punishment, and removal punishment.
- Examples of negative reinforcement and intermittent schedules of reinforcement at Negative Reiforcement Example List.
- Behavior Modification Principles at Principles for Using Behavior Modification.
This page covers principles of behavior modification explained by negative reinforcement, punishment, continuous reinforcement, extinction, cueing, successive approximations, satiation, and modeling.
- Classroom Application at Behavioral Theories and Behaviorism in the Classroom ppt.
Video Clips & On-line Activities
Classical Conditioning Example at The Pavlov Altoid Theory Video.
- Annotation
- Site has a classical conditioning experiment that lets you manipulate the variables to condition a dog.
- Site provides an online demonstration which lets you train a fuzzy creature to run or dance by using reinforcement and punishment.
Textbook Clarifications
Modules 9: Behavioral Learning Theories in Ed Psych Modules by Bohlin (2009) pg 160-173.
Pervasive Negative Effects of Rewards on Instrinsic Motivation: The Myth Continues at The Behavior Analyst by Cameron, J., Banko, K., Pierce, W. (2001).
- One of the primary myths and criticisms of behaviorism is that it relies on extrinsic motivation. This article disputes this myth. If principles of behaviorism are applied correctly, rewards can easily be used to build intrinsic motivation.
Children's or Youth Literature
Practice Makes Perfect for Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos (2002) at the BYU Library
- It's carnival time for Ralph, Sarah, and Percy, Ralph's cousin. Ralph is ready to play games and win prizes, but perfect Percy has been practicing.
- Good resource modeling application of "positive practice".
- Monk the little mouse learns from his parents that practice is the way to succeed--whether it is in playing baseball or in playing music.
- Good resource modeling application of "positive practice".
- Direct class through identifying the strategies employed by the tricksters to convince the Emperor of the imaginary clothes. For example, Did the tricksters use principles of classical or operant conditioning. What types of reinforcement did they give the Emperor? What was the reinforcement schedule? How was shaping and satiation exemplified in the story?
- Vashti believes that she cannot draw, but her art teacher's encouragement leads her to change her mind.
Religious Connections/Resources
Act or Acted Upon in 2 Nephi 2: 13-14, 16, 26 at LDS. org.
- Discuss how the scripture references may support or contradict classical conditioning, operant conditioning, etc.
- Using Principles for Using Behavior Modification for reference, invite students to cite examples of how our Heavenly Father and Savior demonstrate or do not demonstrate the principles.
- For example, using the Successive Approximation Principle, ask for scriptural or personal examples of how we are rewarded for successive steps towards becoming more Christlike.
- Another example, using the Satiation Principle, ask for ways in which our Heavenly may or may not allow us to continue a particular behavior until we tire of it.