Running head: The Effectiveness of Using Multiple Theories in the Classroom 1

The Effectiveness of Using Multiple Theories

Rebecca L. Pinkerton

Dakota State University

EPSY 302

April 1, 2017
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The Effectiveness of Using Multiple Theories in the Classroom

Students learn in a variety of different ways than their peers and in each subject.

Each student's rate of learning can differ from one another. The best way to make sure

every child receives an appropriate education is to incorporate, not one, but all three

learning theories. The learning theories that will be immersed in the classroom are

aspects of Behaviorism, Social-Cognitivism, and Constructivism. Each theory can be

used in different ways depending on the circumstances.

Behaviorism is defined as, “a theoretical perspective in which learning and

behavior are described and explained regarding stimulus-response relationships, and

motivation is often the results of deficit-based drives” (Ormrod 2012). This means that

the actions presented to a child and their response to those actions exhibit how they learn.

I would incorporate the theories of B.F. Skinner and Edward Thorndike into the

classroom. Edward Thorndike created the “Law of Effect” theory in which it predicted

that any event followed by a positive effect would lead to an increase in the behavior and

vice versa. The main ideas out of Behaviorism that should be used in the classroom

include reinforcements and punishments in order to shape specific behaviors in each

student to help them succeed in the future.

B.F. Skinner introduced the concept of reinforcements and punishments.

Reinforcements urge a behavior while punishments are aimed at decreasing a behavior.

The use of a reinforcement or punishment can shape a specific behavior for children.

Reinforcements can be used in the classroom, for example, by giving a child a sticker for
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doing an act of kindness and aiming for the continuation of kindness. Another alternative

could be having a bookstore that the students can earn points to spend at by turning in

their homework on time, being friendly, and participating in the classroom. Punishment,

on the other hand, looks at decreasing a certain behavior in an attempt to make it

obsolete. Examples of a punishment include giving a child a scolding, detention, or extra

homework for acting impolitely at school. Using reinforcements and punishments will

incorporate Thorndike's “Law of Effect” theory.

However, there is a problem with Behaviorism in which it doesn’t identify the

conceptual change in students which is why I would also exercise the Social-Cognitive

Theory (Yilmaz 2011). This theory focuses on how people learn through observing others

(Ormrod 2012). It also shows how each student is progressing mentally. However, it is

beneficial to have both theories because it shapes positive behaviors and helps teachers

understand how students can learn effectively. Social-Cognitive can be used to help

further shape an appropriate behavior for students. At first Vygotsky developed an idea

that children learn from observation of those around them. However, Albert Bandura

comes along after Vygotsky and declares that children can learn from those around them

but children need a specific number of effects to be engaged. I would use the works of

Albert Bandura in a classroom setting by showing students how acting appropriately or

being nice to others is favorable. It would also be advantageous to tell students the

consequences and meanings of hurting another person. Bandura created a process to

developing a desired behavior (Mcleod 2011). There were four parts to Bandura's

process: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. The first thing to accomplish
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is getting the attention of the students because once they will feel interested they’ll be

motivated to learn more. The second goal is to help students retain the information which

can be accomplished in a multitude of fun ways such as songs, games, rhymes,

alliteration, and onomatopoeia. Thirdly, reproduction where the student can take that

information that they have stored in their long-term memory and apply it. The last step is

motivation, which is where the students feel inspiration and apply that knowledge every

day.

Social-Cognitive can also help students develop self-efficacy. Self-Efficacy, “is

the extent to which one believes oneself to be capable of successfully performing certain

behaviors or reaching goals - in motivation” (Ormrod 2012). I can model self-efficacy in

the classroom by telling students that they are doing well in the classroom or by

encouraging students in challenging themselves. To promote self-efficacy a person can

use the reinforcement and punishment philosophy that Skinner created to help shape a

specific behavior. That behavior could be challenging oneself, turning work in on time, or

paying attention. This could help students in challenging themselves, which leads to an

increase in their self-efficacy by giving them pride in their accomplishments.

The last learning theory that should be included into the classroom is

Constructivism. Constructivism is a learning theory in which learners construct a body of

knowledge from their internal and external experiences, instead of absorbing information

(Ormrod 2012). Constructivism focuses on students learning to map out the real world.

This learning theory also focuses on how students create meanings through previous

experiences. Constructivists believe that children take their individual experiences to

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make sense of the real world in their own unique way (Ertmer 2013). Piaget’s cognitive

development theory is a major contributor towards constructivists outlooks. There are

four parts to Piaget’s theory: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and

formal operational. Piaget believed that as children go through each stage, they develop

schemes. Schemes are where children categorize objects, people, and places (McLeod

2015). Two things are included when children develop schemes these are assimilations

and accommodations. Assimilations are where children interpret a new event in a way

that is consistent with an existing scheme. Accommodations are when children create or

adapt an existing scheme.

Each learning theory can overlap one another, which is why there are aspects in

all three that can work in the classroom. This is why some theorists can be used in

multiple learning theories. The variety of teaching methods educators use in their

classrooms can positively meet every student's needs (Chaille 2014). Furthermore, I

know that these learning theories create a mixture between teacher-centered and

student-centered. I do believe that having class introduced with teacher-centered could

shape learner’s behaviors and lead them on a path where they would be able to do things

on their own at their individual velocity. Behaviorism can shape positive behaviors and

negate undesirable behaviors through reinforcements and punishments. Social-Cognitive

also aims at shaping positive behaviors in students by imitating good behavior

demonstrated to the students from those around them. Shaping positive behaviors can

decrease bullying and increase dispositions in the classroom. The last learning theory,

constructivism, shows how students can engage their experiences into obtaining new
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information. The use of multiple theories can aid in creating a positive behavior for

learners, increasing motivation, and identifying where students are struggling mentally as

well as helping them target areas in which they learn the most effectively. .

Using multiple learning theories can assist students in acquiring additional

information and shaping positive behavior. My overall goal is to help students actually

want to learn and have fun in school. A place where students can challenge themselves,

learn, have fun, receive aid, and develop an appropriate behavior is the kind of classroom

that I want to develop for students. Every child is different and that means they all require

different forms of aid and learn in different ways. I want to integrate ways that can help

every learner. Learners motivation can be aimed by using interesting activities that they

formulate on their own with additional assistance when needed. Teachers are guides that

help learners delve into a path that can assist them in the future.
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References

Ormrod, J. E. (2012). Essentials of educational psychology: big ideas to guide effective teaching.

Boston, Mass: Allyn & Bacon.

Yilmaz, K. (2011). The Cognitive Perspective on Learning: Its Theoretical Underpinnings and

Implications for Classroom Practices. Clearing House, 84(5), 204-212.

doi:10.1080/00098655.2011.568989

Chaille, C. (2014). Science and Children: Constructivism Across the Curriculum in Early

Childhood Classrooms: Big Ideas as Inspiration, 51(6), 28-29.

Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J. (2013). Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism: Comparing

Critical Features From an Instructional Design Perspective. Performance Improvement

Quarterly, 26(2), 43-71. doi:10.1002/piq.21143

McLeod, S. (2016). Bandura - Social Learning Theory. Retrieved April 07, 2017, from

https://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html

McLeod, S. (2015). Jean Piaget - Cognitive Theory. Retrieved 10 April 2017, from

https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html