Unit 8: Behaviourism & Neobehaviourism Flashcards
What should psychology be according to behaviourism, what should it focus on and how?
a natural, objective science
focuses on directly observable entities through introspection
Who is the founder of classical behaviourism?
J.B. Watson
Russian objective psychology
study of things that are directly measurable
How should psychology be studied according to Pavlov?
using physiological concepts and techniques
What is a conditioned reflex?
objects or events related to an unconditioned stimulus wia associative process
-> generates same response as original stimulus
-> conditioned reflex
What associative processes are there?
contiguity
frequency
Extinction
conditioned stimulus is continuously present
-> not followed by unconditioned stimulus
-> conditioned response will gradually diminsih and disappear
Spontaneous recovery
period of time passes after extinction
-> CS presented again
-> causes conditioned response
=> extinction only inhibits CR
Disinhibition
after extinction
-> presenting strong stimulus irrelevant to animal causes return of conditioned response
What was the purpose of Watsons objective psychology?
prediction and control of behaviour
Stimulus - Response psychology (S-R Psychology)
S: situation in environment or internal condition
R: everything an organism does
Four types of behaviour according to Watson
Explicit (overt) learned: talking, writing, etc.
Implicit (covert) learned: increased heartbeat when seeing the dentist
Overt unlearned: blinking and sneezing
Covert unlearned: glandular secretions& circulatory changes
Four methods of studying behaviour
Observation
Conditioned reflex method
Testing
Verbal reports
What is the role of instincts in behaviour according to behaviourism according to Watson and what should psychology rather focus on?
don’t exist
-> only reflexes, no innate complex patterns
observable behaviours which can be quantified
What makes people who they are according to behaviourism?
Experience, not heredity
Watsons most important experiment
little albert experiment
What are emotions and what are important aspects of emotions?
inherited
aspects:
- Stimuli that arouse emotion
- internal reaction
- external reaction
What is neo-behaviourism?
combining of Behaviourism and Logical Positivism
Which are the variables neo behaviourism requires?
Hypothesis
expectation
belief
cognitive map
What is logical positivism and what does it allow?
Response to problem generated by discoveries of not-directly observable entities (e.g. gravity)
allows theorisation without sacrificing objectivity
What parts does Logical Positivism divide science into?
Empirical: observable terms
Theoretical: attempt to explain what is observed
What is an operational definition and what is it used for?
defining any abstract concept in terms of procedures used to mediate it
convert theoretical terms into events, stripping them of metaphysical connotations
What beliefs did all neo behaviourists have in common?
- theory used -> must be used in ways demanded by logical positivism
- All theoretical terms should be defined operationally
- animals as research subjects because:
a) variables easier to control
b) processes only differ in degree -> can be generalised - Learning process as primary mechanism by which organisms adjust to changes in the environment
What did Skinner come up with?
Functional analysis of behaviour
-> environmental elements give rise to conscious events which cause behaviour
What is operant behaviour?
behaviour operating on environment to create consequences
-> behaviour not caused but controlled by consequences
-> operant conditioning
Reinforcer
anything that, when contingency on response is realised, changes rate at which response is realised
The effects of positive and negative reinforcement
asymmetrical
reinforcement strengthens behaviour
punishment doesnt weaken it
