Chapter 8: Behavior Theory

Behavior theory was created by four psychologists, Pavlov and Watson & Thorndike and Skinner. This theory seeks to understand behavior as a function of environmental histories of reinforcing consequences by creating expiriments that provoked observable research. Pavlov created the idea of classical conditioning; Watson created "little Albert;" Thorndike the law of effect; and skinner radical behaviorism. This theory has influenced education as well as psychology in both ideology and literature. It has helped to teach repertoires of both verbal and nonverbal behavior as well as encourage students to display an interest in instruction. These men believed that by bringing students’ behavior under the control of the environment by reinforcing it only when particular stimuli were present would benefit their education.

Behavior theory is important in today's Student Affairs  curriculum to understand what motivates students to accomplish their work. Since college students are not under the constant influence of their parents, their professors must engage and 'hook' their students into wanting to learn more in order to better themselves in the long run. Reinforcing positive behavior helps the student to learn by association and consequences.

Video: Cognitive Session
The therapist asks the client what is bothering her. The client says there is resentment and an inability for her husband to help watch the children. So by conditioning her husband to become more open to helping out with the children would help establish a better instruction within their marriage and family life. This would benefit everyone in the family and create more open dialogue amongst the family.