Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Exam

Which of the following best defines Behaviorism?

1. Learning through social interactions

2. Acquisition of new behavior through experiences

3. Understanding the emotional aspects of learning

4. Constructing knowledge through discovery

The correct answer is: Acquisition of new behavior through experiences

Behaviorism is primarily focused on the idea that learning occurs through direct experiences and interactions with the environment. This perspective emphasizes observable behaviors and the changes that occur as a result of these experiences, rather than delving into internal mental processes or emotions. In the context of behaviorism, the belief is that behaviors can be learned or modified through reinforcement or punishment, highlighting the significance of external stimuli in shaping an individual's actions. This aligns with the teaching practices that utilize positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors and discourage undesired ones, making the emphasis on acquisition of new behaviors a fundamental concept within this theory. The other definitions, while relevant to other learning theories, do not accurately encapsulate the essence of behaviorism. For example, social interactions are more aligned with social learning theory, emotional aspects pertain to different psychological perspectives like humanism, and discovery learning is rooted in constructivist theories.