Historical Context

Question 1

Francis Bacon

Answer 1

he wanted science to be practical. The purpose of science should be to help people. 1600s.

Question 2

Descartes

Answer 2

1600s Dualism: two entities in the world.
1) bodies: machines–follow the laws of nature and may be understood through science
2) minds (souls): not machines–they think, will behavior, and live forever
Two separate entities

Question 3

Spinoza

Answer 3

Rejected dualism. 1600s. Said humans are entirely physical. Mind is the activity of the body. Because there’s no spiritual mind, behavior must be determined by biological and environmental events.

Question 4

Charles Darwin

Answer 4

1800s Humans are biological organisms descendant of animals. We can learn basic human behavior traits from studying animals. Two effects: 1) behavior is a legitimate area of scientific inquiry, 2) can study animals behavior to learn about humans.

Question 5

Ivan Pavlov

Answer 5

Discovered classical conditioning. One of the first people to study behavior.

Question 6

Edward L. Thorndike

Answer 6

Demonstrates scientifically that consequences influence animal behavior

Question 7

Watson

Answer 7

coins the term “behaviorist.” Really critical of other psychologists for not being objective. Published many articles on psychology and behavior, really got the word out.

Question 8

B. F. Skinner

Answer 8

“Radical Behaviorism.” Suggests that mind is physical and should be studied as behavior by behavioral scientists. What happens in the brain is really important even though its hard to study.

Question 9

What makes behavioral analysis so big today?

Answer 9

More diagnosis and understanding of autism.