Theorists that changed the game B.F. Skinner and Lev Vygotsky

What to expect: B.F. Skinner the Behaviorist Skinner’s famous theory Jean Piaget the Cognitivist Piaget’s famous theory How educators benefited from Skinner What educators learned from Piaget Behaviorism in a corporate retail environment Cognitivism in a corporate retail environment

B.F. Skinner the Behaviorist Burrhus Fredric Skinner was born in the city of Susquehanna, PA in March of 1904 Received his BA from Hamilton College Then completed his Masters and Doctorates at Harvard (1930-1931) Spent most of his carrier at Harvard where he developed the radical theory of operant conditioning

Skinner’s Famous Theory Behaviorism – is a change in behavior brought on by experience that could be measured. Operant conditioning – results when a response is followed by a reinforcing stimulus (Brown,Green p.48). Skinner invented the “Skinner Box” to prove his theory of operant conditioning. The Skinner box was designed to showcase how a rat could operate a lever to retrieve a food pellet. Operant conditioning is proven in many ways hear Ex: If the signal light is off the rat knows not to press the lever but if it is on the rat will press the lever showing us behavior being reinforced by food.

Jean Piaget the Cognitivist Piaget was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland August 9, 1896 Went to the University of Neuchatel and earned his Doctorates in science their His life work was based on the study of education In 1929 he became the director of the International Bureau of Education Developed the theory of genetic epistemology The study of development knowledge Most famous theory Cognitivism The process of learning through developmental stages, the nature of knowledge

Piaget’s Famous Theory Cognitivism 1. Sensorimotor 2. Preoperational 3. Concrete Operational 4. Formal Operational

Piaget’s Famous Theory Piaget though of knowledge and learning as a natural process brought on by life experiences. Cognitivism Sensorimotor stage: from birth to the age of 2 Use of five senses to explore, only able to understand the world through their experiences Preoperational stage: from ages 2 to 7 Thinking with much imagination, unable to think with logic Concrete operational stage: from ages 7 to 12 With assistance beginning stages of logic Formal operational stage: from ages 12 onwards Having the ability to retain information and thing logically

How Educators Benefited from Skinner One concept that all educators use that is a behaviorist view are the simple but firm classroom rules. In the classroom a teacher can foster certain behaviors depending on the rules. Ex. No talking in the class room while teacher is speaking or without raising your hand. Everyday if the students behave and follows the rules they receive a yellow ticket that they could submit later on for an award. If the student doesn’t follow the rules they receive a red ticket that can not be turned in for anything and so many red tickets could result in no recess or having your lunch with the teacher.

What Educators Learned from Piaget More recently you see cognitivism used frequently in all subject areas in the classroom. Advanced organizers are a great example of what educators have learned from Piaget. Educators realized that learning is more productive when you prepare the student for the lesson. Ex. In a reading classroom you have the students learn the definition words and have them use them in sentences before you start reading the book.

Behaviorism in a Corporate Retail Environment Corporate world is all about results and the continuation of always raising the bar for yourself. Behaviorism is used daily in the front lines of any corporate retail store. Perfect example if you were to go to a Sprint store and purchase anything chances are you will receive a call from a surveying company. The survey will consist of different questions gearing towards the behaviors of the sales representative that assisted you. Sprint uses this to manage the behaviors of the associates in their stores. If they do well they get rewarded; if they fail a corrective action is needed.

Cognitivism in a Corporate Retail Environment Corporate retail trainers use many cognitive concepts in the training of an employee. Training classes and lessons are setup to be conducted in a certain order. Example would be you wouldn’t want an employee to attend a training on how to close a sell if the employee hasn’t completed a training on greeting a customer or hasn’t learned how to qualify the customer. Through Piaget and his studies the Corporate world understands that the employees need to be taught in a organizational maner.

References “B.F. Skinner”. nwlink.com. http://www.nwlink.com/~Donclark/hrd/history/skinner.html. 25 February 2010. “B.F. Skinner”. nndb.com. http://www.nndb.com/people/297/000022231/. 25 February 2010 “Personality Theories Jean Piaget”. Webspace.ship.edu. http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/piaget.html. 26 February 2010 “Jean Piaget”. Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Piaget. 26 February 2010 “Theory of cognitive development”. Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/theory_of_cognitive_development. 26 February 2010