Behaviorism

What is Behaviorism ?

• It is an experiment related to the way people react.

• It is a psychological approach which states that learning is the result of the interaction of behaviors and the environment.

• It is a study investigating people's behavior.

When was first the behaviorist movement mentioned ?

• The behaviorist movement began in 1913 when John Watson wrote an article entitled 'Psychology as the behaviorist views it,' which set out a number of underlying assumptions regarding methodology and behavioral analysis.

• The behaviorist movement began in 1903 when John Watson wrote an article entitled 'Psychology as the behaviorist views it,' which set out a number of underlying assumptions regarding methodology and behavioral analysis.

• The behaviorist movement began in 1913 when Rosalie Rayner wrote an article entitled 'Psychology as the behaviorist views it,' which set out a number of underlying assumptions regarding methodology and behavioral analysis.

What are Methodological and Radical Behaviorism ?

• They are both types of Behaviorism. The difference between them is Watson's original 'Methodological Behaviorism,' and forms of behaviorism later inspired by his work 'Radical Behaviorism'.

• They do not exist. They have nothing to do with Behaviorism.

• Methodological Behaviorism is a type of Behaviorism in contrast to Radical Behaviorism, which is not.

• Radical Behaviorism is a type of Behaviorism in contrast to Methodological Behaviorism, which is not.

Is the following sentence true or false ?

"Behaviorist teaching methods have proven most successful in areas where there is a "correct" response or easily memorized material"

• The sentence is true.

• The sentence is false.

According to operant conditioning, which of the following paths is the correct path ?

• response ~> reinforcement ~> stimulus

• stimulus ~> response ~> reinforcement

• stimulus ~> reinforcement ~> response

One of the key concepts of Behaviorism is that the learner starts off as a clean slate and behavior is shaped through positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement.

Continue the sentence...

• ...Both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement increase the probability that the antecedent behavior will happen again. In contrast, punishment decreases the likelihood that the antecedent behavior will happen again.

• ...Both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement decrease the likelihood that the antecedent behavior will happen again.

Ιn continuation with the preceding ones, which of the following is correct ?

• Positive reinforcement indicates the application of a stimulus; Negative reinforcement indicates the withholding of a stimulus. Learning is therefore defined as a change in behavior in the learner.

• Positive reinforcement indicates the withholding of a stimulus; Negative reinforcement indicates the application of a stimulus. Learning is therefore defined as a change in behavior in the learner.

• Both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement cannot be related to a stimulus. Therefore learning cannot be defined as something in the behavior of the learner.

Was Behaviorist work applied to animals (e.g. Pavlov’s dogs) ?

• No, as animals have nothing to do with human behaviors.

• Yes, it was applied but did not have a relation with the human behaviors.

• Lots of Behaviorist work was done with animals and generalized to humans.

Which of the following is the most correct ?

• Behaviorism has the ability to define behavior clearly and to measure changes in behavior.

• Behaviorism has the ability to define behavior clearly and to measure changes in behavior.However, it only provides a partial account of human behavior, that which can be objectively viewed. Important factors like emotions, expectations, higher-level motivation are not considered or explained.

What is Freud's view on Behaviorism?

• Freud criticizes Behaviorism as it does not take into account the unconscious mind’s influence on behavior, and instead focuses on externally observable behavior. Freud also rejects the idea that people are born a blank slate (tabula rasa) and states that people are born with instincts (e.g., eros and thanatos).

• Behaviorism is based upon observable behaviors, so Freud believes that it is easier to quantify and collect data and information when conducting research. Since research and experiment is a very powerful tool in providing explanations and clear evidences about a certain phenomenon,early theorists,like Freud, and proponents of behaviorism took pride in initiating the studies of observable behaviors rather than those that cannot be observed and measured.