Which method reflects a behaviorist approach to improving learning?

The behaviorist approach to improving learning emphasizes observable behaviors and the modification of these behaviors through reinforcement. This perspective posits that learning is a result of stimuli leading to responses, which can be shaped through rewards and punishments. In this context, providing rewards for correct answers aligns directly with behaviorist principles, as it reinforces desirable responses and encourages students to repeat those behaviors.

By rewarding correct answers, learners receive immediate positive reinforcement, which can improve motivation and engagement in the learning process. This approach operates on the premise that behavior can be trained through consistent outcomes—correct answers lead to rewards, thus encouraging students to strive for accuracy and correctness in their responses.

In contrast, guided discovery activities, interactive simulations, and collaborative problem-solving predominantly draw on constructivist principles, focusing on the active role of learners in constructing their understanding, rather than on the direct modification of behavior through reinforcement.