Behaviorisms Theories of Epistemology and Behavioral Adaptation Defining Issues of Behaviorism Scientific Statements should be limited to tangible variables. Skinner's Positivism Rejects theoretic and deductive science (newton) advocates Inductive and descriptive science (mach)
Behaviorisms Theories of Epistemology and Behavioral Adaptation Defining Issues of Behaviorism Scientific Statements should be limited to tangible variables. Skinner's Positivism Rejects theoretic and deductive science (newton) advocates Inductive and descriptive science (mach)
Behaviorisms Theories of Epistemology and Behavioral Adaptation Defining Issues of Behaviorism Scientific Statements should be limited to tangible variables. Skinner's Positivism Rejects theoretic and deductive science (newton) advocates Inductive and descriptive science (mach)
Behavioral Adaptation Defining Issues of Behaviorism Epistemology – Positivism/Logical Positivism Behavioral Adaptation - Learning Theory & Environmentalism Ivan M. Sechenov (1829-1905) Russian Objective Psychology Positivism Scientific Statements should be limited to tangible variables. Epiphenomenalism Thoughts do not influence behavior Russian Objective Psychology (Sechenov) Psychology = Physiology (materialism) Reflexes of the Brain (1863) Experience shapes behavior Associationism (S-R psychology) Inhibition and excitation of neuron clusters Inhibition explains apparent voluntary control Ivan P. Pavlov (1849-1936) Nobel prize wining physiologist Interest shifted to "Psychic Reflex" Accepted Sechenov's system All behavior explained in terms of reflexive neural excitation and inhibition. US - UR = Innate Reflexive Response CS - CR = Learned Response Extinction = Learned Inhibition Cortical Mosaic Pattern of ever changes connections between neurons Inhibitory and excitatory systems that change in response to environmental experience. Accounts for all stimulus-response Associations, including language and conceptual thought (first and secondary signal systems) Watson & the Mind-Body Problem Physical (materialistic) monism Thought = private speech & verbal behavior learned behavior (conditioned) epiphenomenon The locus of control is in the environment. Free will is a maladaptive illusion Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It (1913)
AKA Behaviorist Manifesto (Radical Behaviorism)
Accepts positivism Objective events are the only reliable source knowledge. Introspection has no scientific value. Consciousness can not be studied scientifically. Psychology is a natural and experimental science The subject matter of psychology is behavior and its environmental determinants (learning). Assumes human-animal continuity Goal = Prediction and control of the behavior of organisms. Skinner’s Positivism Rejects Theoretical & Deductive Science (Newton). Rationalism General Principles (Theories & Intervening Variables) Mathematics (Statistics, Nomothetic Approach) Advocates Inductive and descriptive science (Bacon, Mach) Empiricism Limited generalization Idiographic Approach: Single-subject research Skinner’s View of Reinforcement Reinforcement is any consequent event observed to increase the subsequent rate of behavior. Reinforcement is identified though functional analysis. No reference to internal states (satisfaction, drive reduction, expectancies) Limited generalization to other circumstances or individuals. Functional Analysis Descriptive analysis of systematic behavior- environment relationships (correlations). Emphasis on prediction and control in specific circumstances. Antecedent Stimuli Behavior Consequences Neobehaviorism AKA Methodological Behaviorism Similarities with Traditional Behaviorism Learning is the subject matter of psychology Human-animal continuity Neo-Behaviorism Examples Drive Theory (Hull) Cognitive Behaviorism (Tolman) Social Learning Theory/Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura) Neo-Behaviorism Contrasts with Traditional Behaviorism Logical Positivism S-O-R Psychology Accepts Intervening Variables Rejects Epiphenomenalism Logical Positivism Unseen forces are real and must be studied gravity, magnetism, thoughts, motivations … Such forces can be studied using empirical observation and rationalism Hypothetical–deductive reasoning (theory development and evaluation) Operationism Scientific variables seen must be defined in the terms of how they are measured. Operational definitions and theoretical constructs that successfully aid in prediction and control are valid. The Purposive/Cognitive Behaviorism of Edward Tolman (1886-1959)
Postulated and studied intervening
(internal) variables in accordance with logical positivism and operationism. Independent Variables = Environment Intervening Variables = Cognitive Maps… Dependent Variables = Behavior Cognitive Maps Knowledge about the structure and contingencies in an environment Awareness of the possibilities an environment affords. Developed through hypotheses, vicarious trial and error, and confirmation from the environment Composed of expectancies and beliefs. Latent Learning Learning results from observation alone. Reinforcement is unnecessary. Reinforcement only motivates performance. Learned behaviors may or may not be performed.