Have you ever wondered how babies develop verbal skills? Or maybe why a problem child continues to do the same thing over and over? Or maybe why some children will only act out before a test? Well, B.F Skinner developed a theory that was able to answer these questions and many more. He challenged many of the norms of the educational systems of his day and was able to take the field of education and its theories and put them into a measurable and observable science. He is probably one of the most well know figures in psychology and many of his theories and ideas are present in classrooms, especially when it comes to the concept of classroom management. The work of Burrhus Frederic (B.F) Skinner greatly influenced the field of early education.
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First, His work influenced the work of the other well know theorist. For example, Skinner’s application of his reinforcement theory to language influence the work of Noam Chomsky. Skinner believed that a baby learned language through positive reinforcements given by the mother. Chomsky challenged this concept by saying that children acquired language too quickly for it to be learned and that language was innate. He theorized that everyone was able to obtain language because they possess, what he called, a Language acquisition device. (Pound, 2011) Another example, is Skinner’s influence on the work of Albert Bandura. Bandura expanded on Skinner’s concept of reinforce by theorizing that the reinforcement of learning occurs when we imitate ourselves after people we want to be like. Bandura called this the Social Learning Theory. (Pound, 2011) Skinner’s theories also led to advancements in the classroom arena. Since his findings, researchers have been able to analyze student and teacher interactions, improve teaching methods, and develop procedures for reducing problem behaviors in the classroom. In the field of special education, researchers were able to develop teaching methods to improve social skills and promote self-management. (Miltenberger, …show more content…
Shaping is used to teach everything from math to language to tying shoes. When a new concept, like reading, is introduced, teachers will often break that concept down to make it easier for students to grasp. Let’s explore the concept of reading. A teacher will first teach students their ABC’S. Once children have mastered this concept they are rewarded and the teacher move on to the next concept of Letter Sounds and from their word structure. Before you know, that child has accomplished the task of reading. Shaping is also used a lot in special education for both children and adults. Larger task such as getting dressed and brushing teeth are broken down into multiply
First, His work influenced the work of the other well know theorist. For example, Skinner’s application of his reinforcement theory to language influence the work of Noam Chomsky. Skinner believed that a baby learned language through positive reinforcements given by the mother. Chomsky challenged this concept by saying that children acquired language too quickly for it to be learned and that language was innate. He theorized that everyone was able to obtain language because they possess, what he called, a Language acquisition device. (Pound, 2011) Another example, is Skinner’s influence on the work of Albert Bandura. Bandura expanded on Skinner’s concept of reinforce by theorizing that the reinforcement of learning occurs when we imitate ourselves after people we want to be like. Bandura called this the Social Learning Theory. (Pound, 2011) Skinner’s theories also led to advancements in the classroom arena. Since his findings, researchers have been able to analyze student and teacher interactions, improve teaching methods, and develop procedures for reducing problem behaviors in the classroom. In the field of special education, researchers were able to develop teaching methods to improve social skills and promote self-management. (Miltenberger, …show more content…
Shaping is used to teach everything from math to language to tying shoes. When a new concept, like reading, is introduced, teachers will often break that concept down to make it easier for students to grasp. Let’s explore the concept of reading. A teacher will first teach students their ABC’S. Once children have mastered this concept they are rewarded and the teacher move on to the next concept of Letter Sounds and from their word structure. Before you know, that child has accomplished the task of reading. Shaping is also used a lot in special education for both children and adults. Larger task such as getting dressed and brushing teeth are broken down into multiply