(Arnold Gesell, n.d). According to MacNaughton (2003) Gesell was a key thinker of Maturation. “The movement towards an increasingly complete and fully developed state of being.” (MacNaughton, 2003. p. 14). They believe that development happens in a natural process, which occurs automatically and in sequential stages over time. (Hunt, 1969). Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner were all key thinkers of conforming to culture, which is classified as behaviourism. (MacNaughton, 2003). These key thinkers believe that social and physical environments inform learning, and believe that learning occurs through reinforcement. (MacNaughton, 2003). Albert Bandura is a social learning theorist (Behaviourist); he believed that individuals learnt through being around others. (MacNaughton, 2003) Behaviourists argue that majority of learning comes from when individuals observe and imitate their role models. (MacNaughton, …show more content…
(MacNaughton, 2003) According to MacNaughton (2003) Skinner, Pavlov and Watson all use positive reinforcement as an educative tool. Pavlov’s dogs, and Watson and little Albert are both examples of conditioning behavior in classical behaviourism. (MacNaughton, 2003) Behaviorists use reinforcers that are most appropriate to the specific child’s learning goals. They use reinforcers such as: gold stars, honor awards and other reward-focused incentives. (MacNaughton, 2003) Conforming to society has a direct link with the technical approach to curriculum. (MacNaughton, 2003) The technical approach to curriculum is linear and goal directed. (MacNaughton, 2003) The technical approach is basically an eight-step process: goals, schedule, content, plans, space and materials, relationships, teaching strategies and assessment. (MacNaughton, 2003) Individuals who abide by this approach, rationalize when making decisions. When making decisions they should not base them on emotion but base them on reason. (MacNaughton,