Plain English Meaning
A way of teaching that says people learn by doing something, getting a response, and repeating what gets rewarded. The instructor shapes the student's behavior by reinforcing the right actions and discouraging the wrong ones.
Full Definition
A learning theory that explains how people learn by responding to stimuli in their environment, with learning shaped through reinforcement (rewarding desired behavior) and the gradual elimination of unwanted behavior. It focuses on observable actions rather than internal thoughts or feelings.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor training when discussing how students learn and how an instructor’s feedback can shape student performance.
Derivation
From the word 'behavior' plus the suffix '-ism,' meaning a system or doctrine. So behaviorism is literally 'the doctrine of behavior' -- the idea that learning should be studied through visible behavior rather than what's happening inside the mind.