A key concept in behaviorism is positive reinforcement. This is the process of increasing the likelihood of a desired behavior by following it with a rewarding stimulus.

Example in practice: In my ESL classroom, I use positive reinforcement when students answer questions correctly or show improvement in their speaking skills. I might give verbal praise, stickers, or even points toward a reward system. Over time, students become more motivated to participate actively because they associate effort and correct responses with positive outcomes.

Another related example is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), one of the most widely used intelligence tests. It includes sections on verbal comprehension, working memory, perceptual reasoning, and processing speed. The WAIS is used for educational placement, diagnosis of learning disabilities, or cognitive research. However, like all intelligence tests, it has limitations. It may not accurately reflect an individual’s creativity, emotional intelligence, or practical skills. Cultural and language biases also raise concerns about fairness for non-native English speakers or individuals from underrepresented groups.

Thus, while behaviorism and intelligence testing have contributed valuable insights into education, they should be applied thoughtfully and in combination with other psychological perspectives.