Behaviorism vs. Cognitism
Is behaviorism or cognitism the better method of teaching? Or, is a combination approach more effective?
Behaviorism suggests that human behavior is determined by "...forces in the environment that are beyond our control and not by the exercise of free will." On the opposing side, Cognitism suggests that "...people actively construct their knowledge of the world through experience." These two philosophies directly contrast eachother. Cognitism focuses on "developing thinking skills for life-long, self-directed learning."
B.F. Skinner was a psychologist who was greatly interested in behavior. He tried to shape human behavior through various laboratory experiments (i.e. Skinner's Box). He believed that "our failure to solve social problems, was because of our failure to understand human behavior." Skinner's goal was to work toward a better understanding of why people do what they do. When the behaviorist principles are applied to education, we can form effective ways to teach. The McNergney text book says "Behaviorists, like realists, rely on knowledge derived from the physical world. They examine how people develop behavior patterns in response to environmental influences." (ie. Pavlov's dogs).
B.F. Skinner was a psychologist who was greatly interested in behavior. He tried to shape human behavior through various laboratory experiments (i.e. Skinner's Box). He believed that "our failure to solve social problems, was because of our failure to understand human behavior." Skinner's goal was to work toward a better understanding of why people do what they do. When the behaviorist principles are applied to education, we can form effective ways to teach. The McNergney text book says "Behaviorists, like realists, rely on knowledge derived from the physical world. They examine how people develop behavior patterns in response to environmental influences." (ie. Pavlov's dogs).
The goals of a behaviorist education are to "engineer environments that effectively maximize learning." Students are asked to respond to environmental stimuli and to self regulate. Teachers "manipulate the learning environment and present stimuli, using conditioning and social learning to shape behavior."
Cognitism favors student-centered learning. Students are assisted in learning study skills and critical thinking. Teachers provide scaffolding for students to try to make sense of information on their own. A famous cognitive psychologist is Jean Piaget.
Cognitism favors student-centered learning. Students are assisted in learning study skills and critical thinking. Teachers provide scaffolding for students to try to make sense of information on their own. A famous cognitive psychologist is Jean Piaget.
I think that a combination of behaviorism and cognitism would result in a useful method of teaching. This combination reflects the idea that to, a certain extent, students are effected by their environment; and to some extent, students control their own will. It is important for teachers to be able to engage students in activities where they can think critically, moniter student behavior, and use forms of reinforcement to drive students to perform well.
Works Cited: Education:The Practice and Profession of Teaching, McNergney (p124-126).
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