Which education philosophy is teacher-centered and focuses on rewards and punishments?

Which education philosophy is teacher-centered and focuses on rewards and punishments?

• A. Essentialism
• B. Behaviorism
• C. Constructivism
• D. Perennialism

Answer: (B)

Behaviorism frames learning as a change in observable behavior driven by external consequences. In a classroom aligned with this view, the teacher designs tasks and then uses rewards to reinforce desired behaviors and punishments to discourage undesired ones. The focus is on shaping what students do, with reinforcement schedules, praise, tokens, or grades as positive consequences, and time-outs or extra assignments as punishments. This makes the teacher central, directing the stimuli and outcomes that drive learning. Other philosophies move away from this control of behavior: essentialism and perennialism emphasize transmitting foundational or enduring ideas under teacher authority, but not primarily through rewards and punishments. Constructivism, by contrast, centers on students actively constructing knowledge with the teacher guiding rather than controlling behavior.

Behaviorism frames learning as a change in observable behavior driven by external consequences. In a classroom aligned with this view, the teacher designs tasks and then uses rewards to reinforce desired behaviors and punishments to discourage undesired ones. The focus is on shaping what students do, with reinforcement schedules, praise, tokens, or grades as positive consequences, and time-outs or extra assignments as punishments. This makes the teacher central, directing the stimuli and outcomes that drive learning.

Other philosophies move away from this control of behavior: essentialism and perennialism emphasize transmitting foundational or enduring ideas under teacher authority, but not primarily through rewards and punishments. Constructivism, by contrast, centers on students actively constructing knowledge with the teacher guiding rather than controlling behavior.