behaviorism Flashcards
What is classical conditioning, and who are its key theorists?
Definition: Learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes linked to an automatic response.
Key Theorists: Ivan Pavlov and John Watson.
🔹 Example: Pavlov’s dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell after it was repeatedly paired with food.
What are two real-life applications of classical conditioning?
Explains emotional responses – For example, fear conditioning in Watson’s “Little Albert” experiment.
Exposure therapy – Used to treat phobias by gradually exposing people to feared stimuli.
What is operant conditioning, and who is the main theorist behind it?
Definition: Learning through consequences (rewards and punishments).
Key Theorist: B.F. Skinner.
🔹 Example: A child receives praise for doing homework, increasing the likelihood they will do it again.
What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement: Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behavior (e.g., giving a reward for good behavior).
Negative reinforcement: Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior (e.g., taking aspirin to relieve a headache).
How does punishment differ from reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Reinforcement: Increases the likelihood of a behavior.
Punishment: Decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
🔹 Example: Scolding a child (positive punishment) for being rude reduces rudeness.
What is determinism in behaviorism?
Determinism is the belief that behavior is controlled by external factors (like reinforcement and punishment) rather than free will.
🔹 Example: A person’s work habits are shaped by past rewards and penalties, not by personal choice.
How do behaviorists view the role of the environment in shaping behavior?
Behaviorists believe external stimuli shape personality and behavior, not internal thoughts or unconscious processes.
🔹 Example: A child raised in a strict household may develop disciplined behavior, while a child raised permissively may become more carefree.
Why is the scientific approach important in behaviorism?
Emphasizes observable behavior rather than internal mental processes.
Uses controlled laboratory experiments to study and generalize behavior.
🔹 Example: Skinner’s experiments with rats and pigeons demonstrated how rewards and punishments shape behavior.
According to behaviorists, how does psychopathology develop and how is it treated?
Cause: Maladaptive behavior arises from faulty learning patterns, not biological or mental illness.
Treatment: Behavior therapy focuses on relearning adaptive behaviors through reinforcement and behavior modification.
Why is behaviorism still relevant today despite its decline?
Though it declined with the rise of cognitive psychology, behaviorism remains influential in:
✅ Education (reward-based learning).
✅ Behavioral therapy (habit and addiction treatment).
✅ Training programs (reinforcement strategies).
How is behaviorism applied in therapy?
Behaviorist therapeutic techniques help treat psychoses, intellectual disabilities, and autism by using reinforcement and behavior modification strategies.
🔹 Example: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) rewards children with autism for positive social behaviors.
How is behaviorism used in schools and businesses?
✅ Answer:
Behavior modification is used to encourage desired behaviors and reduce undesirable ones.
✅ In Schools: Teachers use reward systems (stickers, praise) to reinforce good behavior.
✅ In Businesses: Companies use bonuses and promotions to increase productivity.
How do behaviorists view psychopathology (mental disorders)?
Behavioral pathology is not a disease.
Mental disorders result from learned maladaptive behaviors, not biological or unconscious conflicts.
🔹 Example: A child with a phobia of dogs learned fear through a past traumatic event, not due to a mental illness.
According to behaviorists, why do people develop maladaptive behaviors?
Maladaptive behaviors develop because:
A person fails to learn an appropriate response.
A person learns a maladaptive response instead.
🔹 Example: A child who screams to get attention may grow up struggling with emotional regulation.
What is continuous reinforcement, and when is it most effective?
The behavior is reinforced every time it occurs.
Best for teaching new behaviors but weakens if reinforcement stops (extinction happens quickly).
🔹 Example: A dog gets a treat every time it sits on command.
What is a fixed-interval reinforcement schedule?
Reinforcement is given after a set period of time, regardless of behavior frequency.
Encourages behavior only near reward time.
🔹 Example: A student studies more intensely right before an exam, knowing grades are given at fixed times.
How does a variable-interval schedule reinforce behavior?
Reinforcement is given at unpredictable time intervals.
Encourages consistent behavior since the person doesn’t know when the reward will come.
🔹 Example: Pop quizzes keep students studying regularly.
What is a fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule?
A reinforcer is given after a set number of responses.
Encourages high rates of responding.
🔹 Example: A factory worker gets paid after making 10 products.
What makes a variable-ratio schedule the most effective reinforcement method?
Rewards come after a changing number of responses, making behavior resistant to extinction.
Encourages constant behavior because the reward is unpredictable.
🔹 Example: Slot machines reward players randomly, making gambling highly addictive.
What is a mixed reinforcement program, and why is it useful?
A combination of different reinforcement schedules to maximize learning and behavior retention.
Best for maintaining behavior over time.
🔹 Example: A teacher first uses continuous reinforcement to teach a skill, then switches to variable reinforcement to maintain it.
How do behaviorists define personality?
Personality is seen as a set of learned behaviors that develop through rewards and punishments in the environment.
🔹 Example: A child who is frequently praised for sharing may develop a kind and cooperative personality.
What are the three main steps in behavioral personality assessment?
Identifying target behaviors – Specific behaviors to be increased, decreased, or modified.
Identifying environmental triggers and reinforcers – What cues or rewards maintain the behavior?
Modifying environmental factors – Adjusting reinforcements to change behavior.
What is a target behavior, and why is it important in behavioral assessment?
A target behavior is a specific, observable action that is identified for modification.
🔹 Example: Instead of saying a child is “disruptive,” a target behavior could be “interrupts the teacher during class”.
How do environmental factors influence behavior?
Behavior is shaped by external stimuli, including rewards, punishments, and social cues.
🔹 Example: A worker who receives bonuses for high performance will likely continue to work hard.
How can temper tantrums be analyzed using behavioral assessment?
Define the behavior: Screaming, crying, throwing objects.
Identify triggers: Tantrums happen when the child is denied a toy.
Identify reinforcers: The child stops crying when given the toy (reward).
What is extinction, and how can it help stop tantrums?
Extinction occurs when a behavior stops because it is no longer reinforced.
🔹 Example: If a parent ignores a tantrum instead of giving in, the child learns that tantrums no longer work.
How can parents reinforce positive behaviors instead of tantrums?
Instead of giving attention to bad behavior, parents can praise and reward positive actions.
🔹 Example: If a child asks nicely for a toy instead of screaming, the parent gives attention and approval.
How does behaviorism differ from traditional personality theories?
Behaviorism focuses on learned behaviors and environmental influences, rather than innate traits or unconscious motives.
🔹 Example: Instead of saying someone is “naturally shy,” behaviorists look at past experiences that shaped their social behavior.
What is the goal of behavioral interventions?
To change maladaptive behaviors by adjusting reinforcements and consequences in the environment.
🔹 Example: A therapist helps a patient with social anxiety by gradually exposing them to social situations with positive reinforcement.
How can behavioral personality assessment be applied in schools and workplaces?
In schools: Reward systems encourage students to follow rules and participate.
In workplaces: Bonuses and promotions reinforce high performance and motivation.
🔹 Example: A company gives “Employee of the Month” awards to encourage productivity.
