Psychology Behavioral Psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of observable behaviors and their relationship with the environment. This approach emphasizes the role of external factors, such as stimuli and reinforcement, in shaping behavior, often downplaying internal mental processes. Behavioral psychologists employ techniques such as classical and operant conditioning to modify behavior, which has widespread applications in therapy, education, and behavioral modification. This perspective helps in understanding how behaviors can be learned and unlearned, making it a critical approach for addressing various psychological issues.
Behavioral Psychology Overview Definition and Origins Definition of Behavioral Psychology Emphasis on observable behaviors Rejection of introspective methods Focus on environmental influences on behavior Origins and Historical Development 19th and early 20th-century roots Emergence as a response to structuralism and functionalism Influence of Philosophy of Empiricism Empiricism's focus on experience-derived knowledge Philosophical impact on scientific approaches to behavior Reaction Against Introspection Limitations of introspective methods Quest for more objective, measurable approaches Key Figures Ivan Pavlov Nobel Prize-winning physiologist Classical conditioning experiments with dogs Concept of conditioned reflexes John B. Watson Founder of behaviorism Emphasis on external behaviors over internal thoughts Famous for "Little Albert" experiment B.F. Skinner Development of operant conditioning theory Invention of the Skinner Box Analysis of behavior through reinforcement Edward Thorndike Law of Effect Experiments with puzzle boxes and cats Influence on subsequent theories of learning Albert Bandura Social Learning Theory and modeling Bobo Doll Experiment demonstrating observational learning Emphasis on cognitive processes in learning Key Concepts Stimulus-Response (S-R) Theory Basic unit of behavior: stimulus leading to response Foundations for understanding reflexive and non-reflexive actions Reinforcement and Punishment Positive Reinforcement: adding a desirable stimulus Negative Reinforcement: removing an aversive stimulus Positive Punishment: adding an aversive stimulus Negative Punishment: removing a desirable stimulus Impacts on behavior modification strategies Conditioning Classical Conditioning Association between two stimuli Result in new learned responses Operant Conditioning Behavior modification through rewards and consequences Differences and commonalities between classical and operant conditioning Observational Learning Learning new behaviors through watching others Impact of cognitive factors such as attention and retention Bandura's principles of modeling and imitation