Behaviourism vs. Constructivism — What's the Difference?

It's essential to understand that both behaviourism and constructivism offer valuable insights into the learning process, but they focus on different aspects and mechanisms of how individuals learn.

While behaviourism often employs methods like repetition and reinforcement to achieve desired behaviors, constructivism leans on real-world problem-solving, inquiry, and discovery.

In behaviourism, the educator often plays a central role, directing learning and providing positive or negative reinforcements. In contrast, with constructivism, the educator's role is more of a guide, facilitating learners as they explore, ask questions, and construct knowledge.

Behaviourism, as a learning theory, stresses the importance of observable behaviors and the responses that result from specific stimuli. It tends to view learning as a passive process where the environment shapes behavior. On the other hand, constructivism posits that learners actively construct knowledge by integrating new information with their existing understanding.