Behavior Management Theorists
There are several classroom/ behavior management theorists that I agree with, but there are two that I will focus my classroom management techniques on. The first theorist is William Glasser, who proposes 'Choice Theory.' The second theorist is Abraham Maslow, who proposes a 'Hiearchy of Needs' theory.
William Glasser
Psychologist William Glasser's Choice Theory states that there are three techniques that have been shown to produce the positive classroom management results:
*Charles, C.M., Building Classroom Discipline. Pearson Education: Boston, 2011, pg. 138.
Seven Deadly Habits vs. Seven Connecting Habits (establish caring relationships with your students!)
1. criticizing 1. caring
2. blaming 2. listening
3. complaining 3. encouraging
4. nagging 4. supporting
5. punishing 5. contributing
6. rewarding 6. trusting
7. threatening 7. befriending
*Charles, C.M., Building Classroom Discipline. Pearson Education: Boston, 2011, pg. 149-150.
- Provide a curriculum that is genuinely attractive to students
- Use non-coercive discipline to help students make responsible choices that lead to personal success. ex: We are all responsible for our own behavior. Motivation is the key ingredient in learning.
- Strongly emphasize quality in all aspects of teaching and learning
*Charles, C.M., Building Classroom Discipline. Pearson Education: Boston, 2011, pg. 138.
Seven Deadly Habits vs. Seven Connecting Habits (establish caring relationships with your students!)
1. criticizing 1. caring
2. blaming 2. listening
3. complaining 3. encouraging
4. nagging 4. supporting
5. punishing 5. contributing
6. rewarding 6. trusting
7. threatening 7. befriending
*Charles, C.M., Building Classroom Discipline. Pearson Education: Boston, 2011, pg. 149-150.
Abraham Maslow
Psychologist Abraham Maslow stated that human motivation is based on people seeking fulfillment and change through personal growth, which can be seen through Maslow's Hiearchy of Needs. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a pyramid which can be divided into basic needs (e.g. physiological, safety, love, and esteem) and growth needs (cognitive, aesthetics and self-actualization). One must satisfy lower level basic needs before progressing on to meet higher level growth needs. Once these needs have been reasonably satisfied, one may be able to reach the highest level called self-actualization.
I believe that Maslow's Hiearchy of Needs (see diagram below) is extremely important in the classroom setting. If any of these physiological necessities is missing, students will not be able to concentrate on learning. Following the basic physiological needs, Maslow has listed safety and security needs as an additional basic need that requires fulfillment. Safety is the feeling people get when they know no harm will befall them, physically, mentally, or emotionally; security is the feeling people get when their fears and anxieties are low. It is extremely important that all students’ safety and security needs are met in the classroom. Students must feel comfortable with both their classmates and teacher, which can be achieved through teaching students to build and maintain trustful and respectful relationships. I believe if everyone in the classroom feels respected and appreciated for who they are, students will be more able to focus on learning and be more apt to take academic risks.
**Martin, D. & Joomis, K. (2007). Building teachers: a constructivist approach to introducing education
(pp. 72-75). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
I believe that Maslow's Hiearchy of Needs (see diagram below) is extremely important in the classroom setting. If any of these physiological necessities is missing, students will not be able to concentrate on learning. Following the basic physiological needs, Maslow has listed safety and security needs as an additional basic need that requires fulfillment. Safety is the feeling people get when they know no harm will befall them, physically, mentally, or emotionally; security is the feeling people get when their fears and anxieties are low. It is extremely important that all students’ safety and security needs are met in the classroom. Students must feel comfortable with both their classmates and teacher, which can be achieved through teaching students to build and maintain trustful and respectful relationships. I believe if everyone in the classroom feels respected and appreciated for who they are, students will be more able to focus on learning and be more apt to take academic risks.
**Martin, D. & Joomis, K. (2007). Building teachers: a constructivist approach to introducing education
(pp. 72-75). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
For more information on Abraham Maslow, visit the following website:
http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html