Compare and Contrast Paper: Abraham Maslow and B.F. Skinner

According to Maslow, all of us are motivated by our needs. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs states that we ought to satisfy each need in turn, starting with the first, which deals with the most obvious needs for survival itself. According to Skinner, people are motivated through the way that they are rewarded. Reinforcement is the key element in Skinner’s model. In order for individuals to do well, they have to have positive reinforcement. In addition, negative behaviors should be reprimanded.

How motivation changes for elementary versus secondary student Maslow states that motivation changes for elementary and secondary students in that younger children needs basic needs met first (basic needs) and once those needs are met; the students can development towards advanced needs such as intellectual needs. Work from easy to complex steps; performance/feedback motivation and actualization changes; amount of reward changes; kind and quality of reward changes.

Similarities/Differences Both Maslow and sustain the notion that individuals must development through stages. The two theories are unlike in that they differ in the method in which the people meet their needs. Maslow suggests that people should be rewarded in order to progress to the next level wile Skinner emphasizes reward and punishment.

Both Maslow and Skinner’s theory sustain the notion that individuals must development through stages. The two theories are different in that they differ in the method in which the people meet their needs. Skinner suggests that positive and negative reinforcement can shape the behavior, unpleasant experience (such as punishment) are negative reinforce it causes learners to avoid desirable response to stimuli Applied in classroom

Educators ought to utilize self actualization to assist students reach his/her full potential, positive reinforcement ought to be used to remain students motivated, and continuing to research in order to help students reach their full potential. Educators ought to use motivation in the form of rewards, develop the Operant Conditioning model in order to educate/ reinforce lessons, and continuing to research in order to help students reach their full potential.

In conclusion although Maslow and Skinner both has influences positive impact in the classroom and positive outcome on student’s progress, but we as educators must continue to research ways and use different instructions to reach the needs of our students. Computers and other technology within the today’s classroom have become student’s rewards. This week lesson have shown me that Maslow needs is best describe in the way we as people live and to be happy; were as Skinner behaviorist theory is want need to be used in order to teacher and conduct in a classroom.