Behaviorism Case Study

1. Does Mr. Kessinger's class represent a community of learners as defined in Constructivist theory? Why or why not?


No, Mr. Kessinger's class does not represent a community of learners. A community of learners is when students co-construct knowledge but also work together in the design of their learning environment. There was no indication that students were working together besides listening to other students answers and when Robin was in trouble for having notes during a class discussion she did not have the chance to decide the design of her learning environment.

2. Does Mr. Kessinger utilize presentation punishment or removal punishment with Robin? Justify your response using definitions and evidence from the case.

Mr. Kessinger uses removal punishment with Robin. The books definition defines removal punishment as removing desirable stimuli to try to stop an undesirable behavior. Examples from the case study to help justify my response, is when Mr. Kessinger yells and rips up the note concept map because he doesn't want that behavior to happen again in his class.

3. Explain Robin's reaction in Ms. Yamashita's class from the perspective of classical conditioning. Which stimuli are paired and how does that condition her response?

The stimuli are paired when both teachers caught/found the note maps. This is the conditioned stimulus. Mr. K caused so much fear for creating and using the map in that that when Ms. Yamashita saw the map Robin was unable to differentiate the response from the teachers. This is the conditioned response.

4. How might Ms. Yamashita encourage Robin to create concept maps in the future? Include behavioral concepts such as shaping, reinforcement, etc., in your response.

I believe Ms. Yamashita would need to speak to Robin after class. Ms. Yamashita would need to first find out why Robin was so upset and why she stormed out of the room crying. Once, Ms. Yamshita comes to the understanding what happened in Mr. K's class. Ms. Y can use shaping to encourage the use of her concept maps in psychology. Robin would need positive comments and continuous reinforcements to help correct the conditioned response that she has created. By continually praising Robin or even making copies of the concept maps for the class would help reinforce Robin to continue the good behavior in your classroom.