Chapter 13: Neobehaviourism Flashcards
Edwin Ray Guthrie
American psychologist known for his work on learning, particularly the concept of “contiguity theory.” He believed that learning was a result of the association between a particular stimulus and a response, emphasizing the role of the temporal contiguity between the two. He proposed the Law of Contiguity, which suggested that a combination of a stimulus and a response would lead to the formation of a habit, reinforcing the association between the two.
Clark Leonard Hull
An influential American psychologist recognized for his development of a comprehensive theory of behavior known as “Hullian theory.” His work was instrumental in bridging the gap between behaviorism and neobehaviorism. His approach focused on the interplay between environmental stimuli and behavioral responses, emphasizing the role of reinforcement in learning. He introduced the concept of “habit strength,” which represents the degree of association between a stimulus and a response. He also proposed the concept of “drive reduction,” highlighting the role of internal drives in motivating behavior.
Burrhus Frederic Skinner
An influential American psychologist renowned for his pioneering work in the field of behaviorism. He developed the theory of “operant conditioning,” which focused on the modification of behavior through the use of reinforcements or punishments. Introduced the concept of the “Skinner box,” an experimental apparatus used to study the principles of operant conditioning in animals. His work emphasized the importance of environmental consequences in shaping behavior, highlighting the role of positive and negative reinforcement.
Edward Chace Tolman
An American psychologist known for his research on purposive behavior and cognitive maps. He developed the concept of “purposive behaviorism,” which emphasized the study of behavior in relation to internal cognitive processes. Introduced the idea of “intervening variables,” which served as theoretical constructs to explain the relationship between environmental stimuli and behavior. His research on rats and maze learning demonstrated the importance of cognitive processes in the formation of cognitive maps, highlighting the role of hypotheses, expectancies, and beliefs in guiding behavior.
Behaviour therapy (Skinner)
A form of therapy that focuses on changing or modifying maladaptive behaviors through various techniques and interventions. It is based on the principles of behaviorism and aims to address specific behavioral issues by employing strategies such as reinforcement, punishment, and conditioning.
Belief (Tolman)
Defined by Tolman, refers to an individual’s subjective understanding or acceptance of a proposition or statement. It represents the cognitive aspect of an individual’s mental state, encompassing their acceptance or conviction regarding a specific idea or concept.
Cognitive map (Tolman)
A mental representation or internal model that individuals use to navigate and understand their environment. It is a mental framework that allows individuals to organize spatial information, make decisions, and plan routes based on their understanding of the spatial layout of their surroundings.
Confirmation (Tolman)
Refers to the process of validating or verifying a hypothesis, belief, or expectancy through experiences or observations. It involves the reinforcement of a previously held belief or expectation based on the successful outcomes or results of specific actions or events.
Descriptive behaviourism (Skinner)
Perspective in psychology that focuses on the objective description and analysis of observable behavior without attributing any internal mental states or processes. It emphasizes the study of behavior as a response to environmental stimuli, disregarding the role of internal cognitive processes in shaping behavior.
Drive reduction (Clark Hull)
Introduced by Hull, which refers to the process by which internal physiological needs or drives motivate individuals to engage in specific behaviors aimed at reducing or satisfying these physiological needs. It highlights the role of internal states in driving behavior.
Expectancy (Tolman)
Associated with Tolman, which refers to an individual’s anticipation or prediction of a future outcome or event based on previous experiences or knowledge. It represents the cognitive aspect of an individual’s mental state, reflecting their anticipated or expected result of specific actions or behaviors.
Functional analysis (Skinner)
A method used in psychology to examine and understand the functional relationships between environmental stimuli and behavioral responses. It involves analyzing the specific environmental conditions that elicit, maintain, or influence particular behaviors, emphasizing the functional significance of these behaviors within a specific context.
Habit strength (Tolman)
Proposed by Hull, denotes the degree of association or linkage between a specific stimulus and a particular behavioral response. It represents the strength or intensity of the habit formed as a result of repeated associations between environmental stimuli and behavioral reactions.
Hypothesis (Tolman)
A proposed explanation or prediction based on limited evidence or initial observations. It serves as a tentative proposition that can be tested and validated through further research or experimentation, aiming to explain a particular phenomenon or set of observations.
Hypothetico-deductive theory (Hull)
An approach in science that involves the formulation of hypotheses based on existing theories or observations, followed by the testing of these hypotheses through empirical research or experimentation. It emphasizes the systematic process of deriving conclusions or predictions from specific hypotheses and subsequently testing these predictions through empirical evidence.
Instrumental conditioning (operant conditioning)
A form of learning in which behaviors are modified or shaped through the use of reinforcements or punishments. It involves the association of specific behaviors with desired or undesired consequences, leading to the strengthening or weakening of these behaviors over time.
Intervening variables (Thorndike)
Introduced by Edward, representing unobservable internal processes or states that mediate the relationship between environmental stimuli and behavioral responses. They serve as theoretical tools for explaining the underlying cognitive processes influencing behavior.
Latent extinction (Tolman)
Decline or elimination of a learned response or behavior that remains dormant or suppressed until certain conditions or stimuli lead to the cessation of the previously reinforced behavior. It involves the gradual fading of a learned behavior in the absence of further reinforcement.
Latent learning (Tolman)
Introduced by Tolman, which denotes the acquisition of knowledge or skills that are not immediately expressed in behavior but can be demonstrated or utilized when appropriate incentives or motivations are present. It highlights the role of internal cognitive processes in the acquisition of knowledge or information.
Law of contiguity (Guthrie)
Principle proposed by Edwin Ray Guthrie, emphasizing the role of temporal contiguity or proximity between a specific stimulus and a corresponding behavioral response. It suggests that the repeated association of a stimulus with a response leads to the formation of a habit or learned behavior.
Logical positivism (Vienna Circle)
Philosophical approach that emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and logical analysis in the validation and verification of scientific theories and concepts. It advocates for the use of logical and empirical methods to assess the meaningfulness and validity of scientific claims or propositions.
Maintaining stimuli (Guthrie)
Specific environmental conditions or factors that sustain or reinforce particular behaviors, preventing the extinction or elimination of these behaviors. They represent the external stimuli or conditions that support the continuation or persistence of specific learned responses.
Molecular behaviour (Tolman)
Specific, isolated behavioral responses or reactions to individual stimuli, emphasizing the analysis of discrete behavioral units or components rather than comprehensive behavioral patterns or structures. It focuses on the examination of individual elements of behavior without considering the broader context or underlying cognitive processes.
Neobehaviourism
A modernized version of behaviorism that integrates elements of cognitive psychology and other theoretical approaches into the study of behavior. It emphasizes the importance of internal cognitive processes, intervening variables, and the role of mental states in shaping behavior, departing from the strict environmental determinism of traditional behaviorism.
