Enhancing Moral Understanding and Character Development in Higher Education: Insight from Skinner Learning Theory
Abstract views: 67
,
PDF downloads: 16
Abstract
B.F. Skinner, as a behaviourist, emphasized that Learning is shaped more by observable behaviour than by cognition alone. This study explores the application of Skinner’s theory in moral education, aiming to enhance students’ attitudes and character development. Conducted during the odd semester of the 2022 to 2025 academic year, the research employed a case study involving 154 undergraduate students from the Mathematics Education program at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. Findings indicate that applying Skinner’s principles significantly improved students’ cognitive understanding of moral concepts, as reflected in an average score of 82%. More notably, students demonstrated positive behavioural changes through presentations and individual assignments, including reflective activities that encouraged them to connect moral theory with personal conduct. The novelty of this study lies in extending Skinner’s theory—traditionally applied to cognitive Learning—into the domain of moral education, highlighting its relevance for character formation in higher education. While current instructional practices remain predominantly cognitive, this research advocates for a more balanced approach that integrates behaviour-focused strategies to foster moral development. The findings affirm that Skinner’s theory remains a viable pedagogical framework for cultivating both understanding and ethical behaviour among university students.
Downloads
References
Afriana, Santy, Naila Husna Ramadhana, and Yani Pratiwi. “Analisis Teori Operant Conditioning B.F Skinner Terhadap Kemandirian Belajar Peserta Didik Selama Masa Pandemi Covid-19.” Modeling: Jurnal Program Studi PGMI 9, no. 3 (2022): 1–16. https://doi.org/https://jurnal.stitnualhikmah.ac.id/index.php/modeling/article/view/951.
Al-Asy’ari, Hasan, Yongki Sutoyo, and Aldy Pradhana. “Al-Ghazâlî’s Concept of Causality and Quantum Physics: Finding a Point of Relevance.” TSAQAFAH 18, no. 2 (2022): 189. https://doi.org/10.21111/tsaqafah.v18i2.8268.
Andriani, Kiki Melita, Maemonah, and Rz. Ricky Satria Wiranata. “Penerapan Teori Belajar Behavioristik B. F. Skinner Dalam Pembelajaran : Studi Analisis Terhadap Artikel Jurnal Terindeks Sinta Tahun 2014 - 2020.” SALIHA: Jurnal Pendidikan & Agama Islam 5, no. 1 (2022): 78–91. https://doi.org/10.54396/saliha.v5i1.263.
Antoni, Andri. “Implementasi Teori Operant Conditioning B.F. Skinner Dalam Pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam.” Counselia; Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling Pendidikan Islam 5, no. 1 (2024): 181–91. https://doi.org/10.31943/counselia.v5i1.84.
Aprilia, Juliani Yani, and Robi’ah. “Konsep Pendidikan Akhlak Dalam Buku Yang ‘Yang Hilang Dari Kita: Akhlak’ Karya M.Quraish Shihab.” Akademika : Jurnal Keagamaan Dan Pendidikan 19, no. 2 (2024): 156–66. https://doi.org/10.56633/jkp.v19i2.598.
Arif, Khairan Muhammad. “Revisiting Behaviourism Theory of Learning: An Outline with Islamic Education.” TSAQAFAH 18, no. 2 (2022): 291. https://doi.org/10.21111/tsaqafah.v18i2.8554.
Arifin, Zaenal, and Humaedah Humaedah. “Application of Theory Operant Conditioning BF Skinner’s in PAI Learning.” Journal of Contemporary Islamic Education 1, no. 2 (2021): 101–10. https://doi.org/10.25217/cie.v1i2.1602.
Borges, Francisco. “Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours Concerning Sustainable Development: A Study among Prospective Elementary Teachers.” Higher Education Studies 9, no. 2 (2019): 22. https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v9n2p22.
Cahyaningrum, Indah Gita, Nailil Muna Sholihah, and Ahmad Farid. “Pengaruh Pembelajaran Mata Pelajaran Akidah Akhlak Terhadap Akhlak Siswa Kelas V Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Swasta Danunnajah Cipining Bogor.” Journal of International Multidisciplinary Research 2, no. 9 (2024): 89–104. https://doi.org/10.62504/jimr872.
Delviany, Venny, Eva Dewi, Djeprin E. Hulawa, and Alwizar Alwizar. “Pendidikan Akhlak Dalam Perspektif Imam Al-Ghazali.” Counselia; Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling Pendidikan Islam 5, no. 2 (2024): 357–70. https://doi.org/10.31943/counselia.v5i2.139.
Government Regulation. “Government Regulation Number 4 of 2022 Concerning the Standards of Higher Education,” 2022.
Gunnars, Fabian. “Exploring Behaviorism: A Networked (Re)Integration.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Networked Learning, 12:312–18, 2024. https://doi.org/10.54337/nlc.v12.8685.
Hamruni, Zakiyah, Irza A. Syaddad, and Dewi Isnawati Intan Putri. Teori Belajar Behaviorisme Dalam Perspektif Pemikiran Tokoh-Tokohnya. Yogyakarta: UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, 2021.
Husna, Arinal, Yusqi Mahfuds, Yusuf Olawale Owa-Onire Uthman, and Andika Aprilianto. “Building A Muslim Worldview Through Islamic Education in The Middle of Globalization.” Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 6, no. 1 (2023): 46–59. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v6i1.2622.
Jasmine, Eyra Aisyah, Sri Yani, Maruba Alianna Daulay, Indri Kurnia Dewi, Mutiara Fadilah al Panzil, and Nefi Darmayanti. “Penerapan Teori Belajar B.F Skinner Dalam Mata Pembelajaran PAI.” El-Mujtama: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat 4, no. 1 (2023): 62–72. https://doi.org/10.47467/elmujtama.v4i1.3160.
Kholiq, Iqbal Abdul, Marhamah Marhamah, and Ummu Sulaim. “Penanaman Nilai-Nilai Akhlak Mahmudah (Akhlak Terpuji) Di SMA Negeri 2 Jakarta.” MARAS: Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin 2, no. 1 (2024): 253–60. https://doi.org/10.60126/maras.v2i1.157.
Lubis, Mawardi, Alfauzan Amin, and Alimni Alimni. “Exploring the Attitudes of the Digital Age Academic Community in Responding to Issues in Social Harmonization Education at State Islamic University.” AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan 15, no. 4 (2023). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v15i4.2929.
M.Rohimin, S.Sagaf, and Muhammad Fadhil. “Islamic Religious Education Social Competence of Teachers in Increasing Students’ Tolerant Attitudes: Qualitative Study in State High Schools of Jambi City.” International Journal of Islamic Thought and Humanities 3, no. 1 (2024): 167–76. https://doi.org/10.54298/ijith.v3i1.211.
Mahmud, Salami, AM Riska Musfirah, Cut Nyak Marlina, Syiva Fitria, Hendriyanto Bujangga, Syatria Adymas Pranajaya, and Afif Alfiyanto. “Integrating Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences in Islamic Education: A Systematic Review of Indonesian Practices.” Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun 12, no. 3 (2024). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v12i3.1215.
Mahmud, Salami, Sakdiah, Fatmawati, Mashuri, and Muhammad Furqan. “Moral Education in the Family and the Phenomenon of Infidelity.” Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education 5, no. 3 (2024): 400–413. https://doi.org/10.31538/tijie.v5i3.1111.
Muid, Abdul, Muhammad Shohib, and Anas Askarullah. “Character Development Strategy for Tolerance in Islamic Boarding Schools.” Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education 5, no. 2 (2024): 184–201. https://doi.org/10.31538/tijie.v5i2.833.
Oktavia, Lusi, and Maemonah. “Penerapan Teori Belajar Behavioristik B.F Skinner Dalam Memotivasi Siswa Pada Pembelajaran PAI Di Sekolah Dasar.” Instructional Development Journal 5, no. 1 (2022): 53–61. https://ejournal.uin-suska.ac.id/index.php/IDJ/article/view/19285/8183.
Rangkuti, Miswar, Khairuddin Hasan, Ahmad Rizki Nasution, and Monalisa. “Strengthening Akhlak Tasawuf Material in The Subject of Akidah Akhlak in Madrasah.” BIDAYAH: STUDI ILMU-ILMU KEISLAMAN 15, no. 1 (July 11, 2024): 96–107. https://doi.org/10.47498/bidayah.v15i1.3086.
Rochayati, Dewi, and Dimyati Sajari. “Pendidikan Sikap Toleransi Beragama Peserta Didik Di Sekolah Menengah Pertama Di Kota Tangerang.” Uli Albab: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin 2, no. 11 (2023): 5530–37. https://doi.org/https://ulilalbabinstitute.id/index.php/JIM/article/view/2433.
Ruslan, Mudjia Rahardjo, Agus Maimun, and Rahinah Ibrahim. “Environmental Care: The Strengthening Character Education Through Islamic Religious Education (IRE) Development.” Penamas 37, no. 1 (2024): 116–30. https://doi.org/10.31330/penamas.v37i1.791.
Sartika, and Aan Setiawan. “The Role of Islamic Education Teachers as A Model in Improving Social Attitude of Students at SMP Negeri 3 Pamboang Majene Regency.” International Journal Conference 1, no. 1 (2023): 53–58. https://doi.org/10.46870/iceil.v1i1.487.
Skinner, B F, and C George Boeree. “B. F. SKINNER [ 1904 – 1990 ] Personality Theories.” Biography An Interdisciplinary Quarterly, 2006, 1–8. https://doi.org/https://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/Skinner.pdf.
Ulum, Miftahul, and Ahmad Fauzi. “Behaviorism Theory and Its Implications for Learning.” Journal of Insan Mulia Education 1, no. 2 (2023): 53–57. https://doi.org/10.59923/joinme.v1i2.41.
Yahiji, Kasim, and Nur Ainiyah. “The Model of Reflective Moral Inquiry Design on the PAI Learning.” Al-Ulum 19, no. 2 (2019): 506–27. https://doi.org/10.30603/au.v19i2.1109.
Zaini, Rifnon. “Studi Atas Pemikiran B.F. Skinner Tentang Belajar.” Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran Dasar 1, no. 1 (2022): 118–29. https://doi.org/10.24042/terampil.v1i1.1309.
Copyright (c) 2026 TADRIS: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The journal operates an Open Access policy under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Licensethat allows others to share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, and adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (see The Effect of Open Access).
