Behaviorism and the Construction of Knowledge

This paper attempts to discuss behaviorism and the construction of knowledge. This review investigates whether behaviorism methodology has any advantages in learning a language in our classroom. This assessment also observes the critics of behaviorism and its weaknesses in a learning environment. This inquiry concentrates on the view point of B.F Skinner, one of the most outspoken behaviorism psychologist and his experimentations about animals. The notion of antimentalism of behaviorism also discussed in the process. The perception of reward and punishment and the function of human mind regarding learning are also discussed. This study further takes a closer look on external and internal factors as preconditions of behaviorist methodology for an effective learning. Moreover, this study examines how behaviorist views man, mind, conscious, the world and the animals. In addition, this investigation summarizes the important concept of behaviorist paradigm such as objectives, teaching methods, theory and how they perceive learners in the classroom.