BF Skinner

Question 1

Explain Scientific Behaviorism

Answer 1

Behavior can best be studied without reference to needs, motives or instincts. Psychology must avoid internal mental factors and confine itself to observable physical events

Question 2

Explain Classical Conditioning

Answer 2

A response is drawn out of the organism by the organism by a specific identifiable stimulus. Behavior is elicited or drawn from the organism

Question 3

Explain Operant Conditioning

Answer 3

A behavior is made more likely to recur when it is immediately reinforced

Question 4

Procedure in which the experimenter or the environment first rewards gross approximations, then closer approximations, and finally the desired behavior itself

Answer 4

Shaping (Successive Approximations)

Question 5

These are 3 conditions present in operant conditioning

Answer 5

Antecedent, Behavior, Consequences

Question 6

What could be the negative effects of punishment?

Answer 6

• Suppression of behavior
• Conditioning of a negative feeling
• Spread of its effects which may lead to defense mechanisms

Question 7

This type of reinforcement is efficient and resistant to extinction

Answer 7

Intermittent Schedule

Question 8

This type of reinforcement is vulnerable to extinction and the organism is reinforced for every response

Answer 8

Continuous Schedule

Question 8

In the Skinner box experiment, the pellets were what type of stimulus?

Answer 8

Neutral

Question 9

What are reasons for loss of response?

Answer 9

• Forgotten over time
• Interference of preceding or subsequent learning
• Disappeared due to punishment
• Extinction (a response is weakened due to non-reinforcement)

Question 10

Explain Social Control over human behavior

Answer 10

A group or society’s control over its members. This could be through operant conditioning, threats/promises, deprivation and satiation or physical restraint

Question 11

Explain Self-control over human behavior

Answer 11

One’s ability to exert control over variables that determine behavior. Techniques include stimulus avoidance, self-administered satiation, aversive stimulation, and self-reinforcement

Question 12

What is an unhealthy personality according to Skinner?

Answer 12

When social or self-control produces detrimental effects that result in inappropriate behaviors. These behaviors may be self-defeating techniques, self-punishment, excessive rigorous or restrained behaviors

Question 13

What is the role of the therapist in psychotherapy according to Skinner?

Answer 13

The therapist is a controlling agent who molds desirable behaviors by reinforcing slightly improved changes

Question 14

Name 1 strength and criticism of the theory of Skinner