Praxis PLT K-6 Study Guide Questions With
Complete Solutions
Behaviorism View learning as a process of accessing and changing associations between
stimuli and responses.
What do behaviorists believe? Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental
stimuli shape our actions.
Who are key behaviorism theorists? B.F. Skinner
Edward Thorndike
Ivan Pavlov
How is behaviorism shown in the classroom? For example, in a second grade classroom,
the teacher noticed the children were taking too long to put their things away and get ready for
new activities. The teacher decided to use behaviorism to try to change this behavior. To change
the behavior, the teacher would make note of the first table to get their things away and be ready
to change activities and would give this table a star on a chart. Once one table had a certain
number of stars, the children received a reward (positive reinforcement). The students' behavior
changed quickly; soon enough all the children would put away their materials and be waiting
quietly to start something new within a minute of being told.
,Praxis PLT K-6 Study Guide Questions With
Complete Solutions
Classical Conditioning -First described by Ivan Pavlov (Russian)
-Involves placing a neutral signal before a reflex
-Focuses on involuntary, automatic behaviors
Ex. A dog that salivates when it sees food.
Operational Conditioning -First described by B. F. Skinner (American)
-Involves applying reinforcement or punishment after a behavior
-Focuses on strengthening or weakening voluntary behaviors
Ex. A trainer is trying to teach a dog to fetch a ball. When the dog successful chases and picks up
the ball, the dog receives praise as a reward.
Edward Thorndike Created laws of learning which provides additional insight into what
makes people learn most effectively.
Law of Readiness (Edward Thorndike) People learn best when they are ready to learn.
,Praxis PLT K-6 Study Guide Questions With
Complete Solutions
Law of Exercise (Edward Thorndike) People can enhance their memory through
repetition, based on drill and practice.
Law of Effect (Edward Thorndike) Learning is strengthened when it is accompanied with
a pleasant or nonthreatening situation or environment but is decreased when associated with an
unpleasant situation or environment.
Law of Primacy (Edward Thorndike) First impressions are often strong, almost
unshakable. Things learned first stay with us longer.
Law of Intensity (Edward Thorndike) The more intense the material taught, the more
likely it will be retained. A sharp, clear, vivid, dramatic, or exciting learning experience teaches
more than a routine or boring experience.
Law of Recency (Edward Thorndike) This law basically means, all things being equal,
things most recently learned are best remembered.
, Praxis PLT K-6 Study Guide Questions With
Complete Solutions
Law of Freedom (Edward Thorndike) States that things freely learned are best learned.
Conversely, the further a student is coerced, the more difficult is for him to learn, assimilate and
implement what is learned.
Constructivism Views learning as a process in which the learner constructs knowledge
based on their past experiences.
Who are key constructivism theorists? Jean Piaget
Jerome Bruner
John Dewey
Lev Vygotsky
How is constructivism shown in the classroom? Learner-centered. Teacher as facilitator -
students construct knowledge through critical thinking, manipulatives, primary resources, and
hands-on activities.
Student works collaboratively in groups, independently or in partners.
Complete Solutions
Behaviorism View learning as a process of accessing and changing associations between
stimuli and responses.
What do behaviorists believe? Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental
stimuli shape our actions.
Who are key behaviorism theorists? B.F. Skinner
Edward Thorndike
Ivan Pavlov
How is behaviorism shown in the classroom? For example, in a second grade classroom,
the teacher noticed the children were taking too long to put their things away and get ready for
new activities. The teacher decided to use behaviorism to try to change this behavior. To change
the behavior, the teacher would make note of the first table to get their things away and be ready
to change activities and would give this table a star on a chart. Once one table had a certain
number of stars, the children received a reward (positive reinforcement). The students' behavior
changed quickly; soon enough all the children would put away their materials and be waiting
quietly to start something new within a minute of being told.
,Praxis PLT K-6 Study Guide Questions With
Complete Solutions
Classical Conditioning -First described by Ivan Pavlov (Russian)
-Involves placing a neutral signal before a reflex
-Focuses on involuntary, automatic behaviors
Ex. A dog that salivates when it sees food.
Operational Conditioning -First described by B. F. Skinner (American)
-Involves applying reinforcement or punishment after a behavior
-Focuses on strengthening or weakening voluntary behaviors
Ex. A trainer is trying to teach a dog to fetch a ball. When the dog successful chases and picks up
the ball, the dog receives praise as a reward.
Edward Thorndike Created laws of learning which provides additional insight into what
makes people learn most effectively.
Law of Readiness (Edward Thorndike) People learn best when they are ready to learn.
,Praxis PLT K-6 Study Guide Questions With
Complete Solutions
Law of Exercise (Edward Thorndike) People can enhance their memory through
repetition, based on drill and practice.
Law of Effect (Edward Thorndike) Learning is strengthened when it is accompanied with
a pleasant or nonthreatening situation or environment but is decreased when associated with an
unpleasant situation or environment.
Law of Primacy (Edward Thorndike) First impressions are often strong, almost
unshakable. Things learned first stay with us longer.
Law of Intensity (Edward Thorndike) The more intense the material taught, the more
likely it will be retained. A sharp, clear, vivid, dramatic, or exciting learning experience teaches
more than a routine or boring experience.
Law of Recency (Edward Thorndike) This law basically means, all things being equal,
things most recently learned are best remembered.
, Praxis PLT K-6 Study Guide Questions With
Complete Solutions
Law of Freedom (Edward Thorndike) States that things freely learned are best learned.
Conversely, the further a student is coerced, the more difficult is for him to learn, assimilate and
implement what is learned.
Constructivism Views learning as a process in which the learner constructs knowledge
based on their past experiences.
Who are key constructivism theorists? Jean Piaget
Jerome Bruner
John Dewey
Lev Vygotsky
How is constructivism shown in the classroom? Learner-centered. Teacher as facilitator -
students construct knowledge through critical thinking, manipulatives, primary resources, and
hands-on activities.
Student works collaboratively in groups, independently or in partners.
