Which description best aligns with behaviorist learning?

Which description best aligns with behaviorist learning?

• A. Learner constructs knowledge through social negotiation
• B. Knowledge is transmitted from teacher to learner with minimal input from the learner
• C. Learner is a passive recipient of information, with learning reinforced by extrinsic methods
• D. Learning is driven solely by intrinsic motivation

Answer: (C)

Learning in behaviorism hinges on observable behavior and reinforcement from the environment. The learner is viewed as a passive recipient of information, and learning unfolds when a response is followed by an extrinsic consequence that strengthens that behavior. In this view, rewards, praise, or other external outcomes shape which behaviors are repeated, making reinforcement the driving force behind learning. This aligns with the description that emphasizes being a passive recipient and the role of external, or extrinsic, reinforcement in shaping behavior. By contrast, descriptions that emphasize social negotiation and constructing knowledge reflect constructivist ideas, while intrinsic motivation and internal processes are more aligned with cognitive or humanistic perspectives.

Learning in behaviorism hinges on observable behavior and reinforcement from the environment. The learner is viewed as a passive recipient of information, and learning unfolds when a response is followed by an extrinsic consequence that strengthens that behavior. In this view, rewards, praise, or other external outcomes shape which behaviors are repeated, making reinforcement the driving force behind learning. This aligns with the description that emphasizes being a passive recipient and the role of external, or extrinsic, reinforcement in shaping behavior. By contrast, descriptions that emphasize social negotiation and constructing knowledge reflect constructivist ideas, while intrinsic motivation and internal processes are more aligned with cognitive or humanistic perspectives.