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Criticisms
Behaviorism received significant criticism for being dehumanizing. For example, Edwin Locke argued that “The systematic use of reinforcement strategies leads to a demeaning and dehumanizing view of people that stunts human growth and development” [21]. Behaviorism became out of vogue because research increasingly demonstrated that people can learn by observing others and thinking logically about consequences [22]. Also, as holistic and contextual approaches to learning gained widespread acceptance in educational practice, behaviorism became increasingly shunned in education.
