"Behaviorism is a systematic approach to understanding the behavior of humans and other animals."
A school of psychology that focuses on the study of observable behavior rather than inner mental processes.
Classical conditioning: A learning process in which a previously neutral stimulus is paired with a naturally occurring stimulus and eventually elicits a similar response.
Operant conditioning: A learning process where behavior is modified by its consequences, such as rewards and punishments.
Positive reinforcement: A stimulus that increases the probability of a behavior being repeated by providing a desirable consequence after the behavior occurs.
Negative reinforcement: A stimulus that increases the probability of a behavior being repeated by removing an aversive stimulus after the behavior occurs.
Punishment: A negative consequence that decreases the probability of a behavior being repeated.
Shaping: Gradually molding or training an organism to perform a specific behavior by reinforcing small steps towards it.
Extinction: The diminishing of a conditioned response when a conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
Generalization: The tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.
Discrimination: The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond only to the target stimulus.
Continuous reinforcement: Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs.
Partial reinforcement: Reinforcing a behavior only some of the time.
Fixed ratio reinforcement: Reinforcing a behavior after a specific number of responses.
Variable ratio reinforcement: Reinforcing a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses.
Fixed interval reinforcement: Reinforcing a behavior after a specific amount of time has passed.
Variable interval reinforcement: Reinforcing a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.
Social learning theory: Learning that occurs through observing and imitating the behavior of others.
Observational learning: Learning by observing and imitating others.
Modeling: Demonstrating a behavior for someone else to imitate.
Vicarious reinforcement: Learning by watching someone else receive a positive consequence for a behavior.
Vicarious punishment: Learning by watching someone else receive a negative consequence for a behavior.
Behavior modification: Using conditioning techniques to change an individual’s behavior.
Token economy: A behavior modification system in which individuals are rewarded with tokens that can be exchanged for desired items or privileges.
Aversive conditioning: Using punishment or negative reinforcement to decrease the likelihood of behavior being repeated.
Biofeedback: Using technology to provide individuals with feedback about their own physiological processes, such as heart rate or muscle tension, in order to learn to control them.
Systematic desensitization: A behavior therapy technique used to treat phobias by gradually exposing the individual to the feared stimulus while relaxing the individual with techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.
Flooding: A behavior therapy technique used to treat phobias by exposing the individual to the feared stimulus in a highly controlled setting until the fear response is extinguished.
Response cost: A punishment strategy that involves taking away a previously earned reward as a consequence for undesired behavior.
Premack principle: A principle stating that a high-probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior.
Punishment by removal: A strategy that involves removing a previously earned reward as punishment for undesired behavior.
Punishment by application: A strategy that involves adding an aversive stimulus as punishment for undesired behavior.
Classical Conditioning: This type of learning involves association of a neutral stimulus with a natural trigger. For example, Pavlov’s dog associated the sound of a bell with food and began salivating when he heard the bell.
Operant Conditioning: This type of learning involves the association of a behavior with a consequence. For example, a child might learn to tie her shoes by receiving praise from her parents.
Radical Behaviorism: This type of behaviorism emphasizes that behavior is shaped by the individual’s environment and experiences, rather than being a result of any inherent characteristics of the individual.
Logical Positivism: This type of behaviorism emphasizes that scientific knowledge should be based on empirical observation and objective measurement.
Social Learning Theory: This type of learning theory suggests that individuals can learn by observing others, particularly those who have a similar background or experiences.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy: This type of behaviorism recognizes that behavior is often influenced by internal thoughts and beliefs, and seeks to change behavior by changing these internal processes.
Behavioral Analysis: This type of behaviorism analyzes the antecedents and consequences of behaviors to identify the causes of maladaptive behaviors.
Radical Constructivism: This type of behaviorism emphasizes the importance of individual cognition in behavior and argues that individuals construct their own understanding of the world based on their own experiences.
Functional Contextualism: This type of behaviorism emphasizes the importance of considering the context and function of behavior when attempting to understand it.
Relational Frame Theory: This type of behaviorism addresses the way in which language and communication shape behavior and emphasizes the importance of context in interpreting language.
"It assumes that behavior is either a reflex evoked by certain antecedent stimuli in the environment or a consequence of an individual's history and current motivational state."
"It considers reinforcement and punishment contingencies, an individual's history, current motivational state, and controlling stimuli."
"Behaviorists focus primarily on environmental events, although they also acknowledge the role of heredity in determining behavior."
"Behaviorism emerged in the early 1900s as a reaction to depth psychology and other traditional forms of psychology, which had difficulty making testable predictions."
"Methodological behaviorism rejects introspective methods and seeks to understand behavior by measuring only observable behaviors and events."
"Edward Thorndike pioneered the law of effect, which involves using consequences to strengthen or weaken behavior."
"It was not until the 1930s that B.F. Skinner suggested that covert behavior, including cognition and emotions, is subject to the same controlling variables as observable behavior."
"Radical behaviorism is a philosophy based on the idea that all behaviors, including cognition and emotions, are subject to reinforcement histories."
"Skinner assessed the reinforcement histories of discriminative stimuli that emit behavior, which became known as operant conditioning."
"Applied behavior analysis is the application of radical behaviorism and is used in various contexts, such as applied animal behavior and organizational behavior management."
"It is used in a variety of contexts, including applied animal behavior and organizational behavior management, as well as in the treatment of mental disorders like autism and substance abuse."
"While they do not agree theoretically, behaviorism and cognitive schools have complemented each other in cognitive-behavior therapies, which have shown utility in treating certain pathologies."
"Cognitive-behavior therapies have demonstrated utility in treating simple phobias, PTSD, and mood disorders."
"Watson and Pavlov investigated how neutral stimuli elicit reflexes in respondent conditioning."
"Skinner developed the technique of assessing reinforcement histories of discriminative stimuli that emit behavior, known as operant conditioning."
"Behaviorism factors in an individual's history, current motivational state, reinforcement and punishment contingencies, and controlling stimuli."
"Behaviorism emerged as a reaction to traditional forms of psychology that had difficulty making testable predictions."
"The basis of radical behaviorism is the idea that all behaviors, including cognition and emotions, are subject to the same controlling variables."
"With a 1924 publication, John B. Watson devised methodological behaviorism."