Chapter 9: Behavioral Conditioning for Schools and Capitalism

from the book "RootEd: How Trauma Impacts Learning and Society" by S.R. Zelenz

“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.” Edward Bernays, Propaganda

Behavioral Conditioning in Schools 

If coercion or external motivation is such a deterrent for learning, why do schools use it? Many would argue that they spend far more time with classroom management than they have time to teach various methods on how to read or do maths (or any other subject). This has become such a focus that there are significant books and strategies encouraged by teachers and for teachers on how to manage classroom behavior. This is where behavioral conditioning in school becomes paramount. 

Noam Chomsky has been known to speak …