Brief History of Behavioral PsychologyBehaviorism emerged early in the 20th century and became a major force in American psychology. Championed by psychologists such as John B. Watson (1878–1958) and B. F. Skinner (1904–1990), behaviorism rejected any reference to mind and viewed overt and observable behavior as the proper subject matter of psychology. Show
For decades, behaviorism dominated American psychology. By the 1960s, psychologists began to recognize that behaviorism was unable to fully explain human behavior because it neglected mental processes. Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shape our action. Behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states. There are two major types of conditioning:
Learning can occur through associations. The classical conditioning process works by developing an association between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus. In physiologist Ivan Pavlov’s classic experiments, dogs associated the presentation of food (something that naturally and automatically triggers a salivation response) with the sound of a bell, at first, and then the sight of a lab assistant’s white coat. Eventually, the lab coat alone elicited a salivation response from the dogs Different factors can influence the classical conditioning process. During the first part of the classical conditioning process, known as acquisitions, a response is established and strengthened. Factors such as the prominence of the stimuli and the timing of presentation can play an important role in how quickly an association is formed. When an association disappears, this is known as extinction, causing the behavior to weaken gradually or vanish. Factors such as the strength of the original response can play a role in how quickly extinction occurs. The longer a response has been conditioned, for example, the longer it may take for it to become extinct. Factors like generalization is common where we elaborate our new information and relate them with our existing information. These actions are performed by us on regular basis where we make resemblance and thus are able to store in our brain for longer period of time. We generally make common mistakes while generalizing. Motivated Forgetting refers to the memories and experiences we want to forget because of their negative impact on our brain and behavior functioning. This mostly takes place when remembering of some traumatic makes catching up with new things harder. 2. Operant Conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through reinforcements and punishments. Edward Throndike, a pioneering psychologist who described the law of effect, he talked about association between a behavior and a consequence for behavior. When a desirable result follows an action, the behavior becomes more likely to occur again in the future. Responses followed by adverse outcomes, on the other hand, become less likely to happen again in the future.
Reinforcement schedules are important in operant conditioning. This process seems fairly straight forward—simply observe a behavior and then offer a reward or punishment. However, Skinner discovered that the timing of these rewards and punishments has an important influence on how quickly a new behavior is acquired and the strength of the corresponding response. 3. Observational Learning is a also a prominent part of behavioral psychology. Founded by Albert Bandura had had many arguments against his theory of learning by imitation of model through several steps that also contribute to change in our psychological behavior. Factors That Influence Observational LearningAccording to Bandura’s research, there are a number of factors that increase the likelihood that a behavior will be imitated. We are more likely to imitate:
Observational theory has real world impacts on people especially kids who lack theory of mind. Effects of adaptations through imitations from virtual world around us have more dangerous than helpful impacts on society. They encourage more violence, aggression, depression, bluntness etc versus kindness, generosity, helpfulness and others. Strengths and Weakness of Behavioral Psychology
Which psychological perspective emphasizes Behaviour and mental processes as a product of adaptation to one's environment?Functionalism considers mental life and behaviour in terms of active adaptation to the person's environment.
Which psychological perspective focuses on the role of environment shaping how we learn?The behaviorist perspective proposes two main processes whereby people learn from their environment: namely classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning involves learning by association, and operant conditioning involves learning from the consequences of behavior.
What psychology seeks to study the ultimate biological causes of behavior?While biopsychology typically focuses on the immediate causes of behavior based in the physiology of a human or other animal, evolutionary psychology seeks to study the ultimate biological causes of behavior.
Which of the following perspectives emphasizes environmental control of Behaviour through learning?Sociocultural perspective – examines how the social environment and cultural learning influences our behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
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