The document discusses the behaviorist perspectives on learning and education from 1900-1950s. It describes three major behaviorist theories - classical conditioning by Pavlov, connectionism by Thorndike which included four laws of learning, and operant conditioning by Skinner. Behaviorism views learning as changes in observable behavior due to environmental stimuli. It had a significant influence on reading instruction, breaking reading down into discrete skills taught through direct instruction and reinforcement. Research studies found both support and limitations for behaviorist theories in reading development.