1. Learning Theories Behaviorism vs. Cognitivism
Raul Rivera

2. Behaviorism vs. Cognitivism
Behaviorism and Cognitivism are two major psychological perspectives that have dominated how learning has been viewed throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. Both theories provide unique approaches to how learning takes place.

3. Behaviorist Theorist John Dewey (1859-1952) Burrhus Frederic Skinner
( )

4. John Dewey - Background
At the age of 15 attended the University of Vermont and obtained his bachelor’s degree
Doctorate in Philosophy was obtained from John Hopkins University in 1884
Began teaching philosophy and psychology at the University of Michigan
In 1894, Dewey joined the faculty of philosophy at the University of Chicago
In 1904 joined Columbia University

5. John Dewey - Publications
Psychology (1887)
Leibniz’s New Essays Concerning the Human Understanding (1888)
Studies in Logical Theory (1903)
How we think (1933)
Arts as Experience (1934)
Knowing and the Known (1939)

6. John Dewey - Contributions
Founder of philosophical movement know as pragmatism
Functional psychology pioneer
Leader of progressive movement in education
Developed a metaphysics that examines, precarious, histories, and ends
Precarious – ongoing experience problematic
Histories – process of change with an identifiable outcome
Ends – goals of moral actions

7. John Dewey – Impact on education
One of the first ones to propose the connection of education through experience
His impact to education could be found in current curriculum of K-12 schools, colleges and universities
Course offering where student have experience to his/her field by doing internships, externships and work-study's to obtain credit for the course as a reward

8. B.F. Skinner - Background
Skinner attended Hamilton College pursuing a career as a writer
Obtained a B.A. in English literature from Harvard University, later, he obtained a PhD., in Psychology.
Taught at University of Minnesota, and Indiana University where he was chair of the psychology department
Returns to Harvard University in 1948, as a tenure professor, and where he was one of the signers of the Humanist Manifesto

9. B.F. Skinner - Publications
Two types of conditioned reflex and a pseudo type (1935) Journal of General Psychology
Superstition in the pigeon (1938) Journal of Experimental Psychology
Are theories of learning necessary (1950)
Beyond Freedom and Dignity (1971)

10. B.F. Skinner - Contribution
Coined the term operand conditioning – Neutral, Reinforces, & Punishers
Studied operand conditioning by conducting experiments using animals which he placed in a “Skinner Box”
His philosophy was “Radical” behaviorism
Influential psychologist of the 20th century

11. B.F. Skinner – Impact on education
With his Operant Conditioning theory, or also called the Skinner Box,
He used animals to measure response of organism and their orderly interaction with the environment.

12. Cognitivism Theorist
Jerome Bruner
(Born 1915)

13. Jerome Bruner - Background
Bachelor’s degree from Duke University
PhD, from Harvard University
Honorary Doctorates: Harvard, Sorbonne, University of Brazil, Bruxelles, Chicago, Manchester, Oslo, Cambridge, Montreal, Pennsylvania, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome, etc.
Research director at Institut Jean-Jacques Rouseeau, Geneva ( )
Professor of Psychology, Sociology and the Pylosophy of Science, University of Neuchatel ( )
Director, International Bureau of Education, Geneva ( )
Director, Institute of Educational Sciences, University of Geneva ( )

14. Jerome Bruner - Publications
A Study of Thinking (1956)
Toward a Theory of Instruction (1966)
Actual Minds, Possible Worlds (1987)
The Culture of Education (1996)
Acts of Meaning (1991)

15. Jerome Bruner – Impact on education
Bruner’s three modes of representation
Enactive (0 – 1 years) – Encoding action based information and storing it in our memory.
Iconic ( 1 – 6 years) – information stored visually as images
Symbolic (7 years onwards) – information stored as code or symbol, such as language.

16. Summary - Behaviorism
Behaviorism as we can see we John Dewey’s contribution, education, benefits when using experimental process such as internships and work-study.
Performing these activities, help a student what to expect in the real world through practicing by doing an internship and getting as a reward school credit

17. Summary - Cognitivism
As it was seen with Jerome Bruner theory, where he uses the Three Modes of Representation
Many adults can perform a variety of motor tasks that they would find difficult to describe visually or in written context
visual materials helps the adult to have a better understanding of what it’s being taught using illustration
Bruner’s constructivist theory suggest it is effective when faced with new material to follow a progression from enactive to iconic to symbolic

18. Resources http://www.biography.com/people/john-dewey-9273497?page=1
In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved June 20, 2013 from
John Dewey, American Pragmatist . Retrieved June 20, 2013 from
Wikipedia. Retrieved June 20, 2013 from
McLeod, S. A. (2007). B.F. Skinner | Operant Conditioning - Simply Psychology. Retrieved from

19. Resources Prolog press release. Retrieved June 23, 2013 from
Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2013 from
Simply psychology. Retrieved June 23,
Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22,

20. References
Dewey, John. [Photograph]. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from John-Dewey
Skinner, B.F. [Photograph]. Education.com. Retrieved from /
Bruner, Jerome. Dr. Jerome Bruner. Retrieved from