Lesson 8: Comparative Psychology and the Two Waves of Behaviorism

Lesson 8: Comparative Psychology and the Two Waves of Behaviorism - Detailed Flashcards - ChatGPT: • Study of animal behavior and its relevance to psychology • First Wave: Classical Conditioning (Pavlov), Watson’s Behaviorism • Second Wave: Operant Conditioning (Skinner) • Criticism of Behaviorism • Differences between behaviourism and neo-behaviorism

What is Comparative Psychology?

The study of animal behavior with the aim of understanding human psychology through similarities and differences across species.

Why was Comparative Psychology important for psychology's development?

It legitimized the use of animals in psychological research, influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution, and helped reveal basic principles of learning and behavior.

What is Comparative Psychology?

The study of animal behavior with the aim of understanding human psychology through similarities and differences across species.

Why was Comparative Psychology important for psychology's development?

It legitimized the use of animals in psychological research, influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution, and helped reveal basic principles of learning and behavior.

How did Darwin influence Comparative Psychology?

His theory of evolution supported the idea that human and animal behavior were on a continuum, justifying the study of animals to understand human psychology.

What is Classical Conditioning?

A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response (Pavlov).

Who is Ivan Pavlov and what was his contribution?

A Russian physiologist who discovered classical conditioning through experiments with dogs salivating in response to a bell paired with food.

What are key components of Classical Conditioning?

• Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

• Unconditioned Response (UCR)

• Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

• Conditioned Response (CR)

What is higher-order conditioning?

When a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus by being paired with an already established CS, extending learning beyond the original UCS.

Who was John B. Watson?

The founder of behaviorism who argued psychology should focus only on observable behavior and not introspection or mental states.

What was the Little Albert experiment?

Watson classically conditioned a baby to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise, showing that emotions could be conditioned responses.

What were Watson's main beliefs?

• Psychology should be objective and scientific

• All behavior is learned from the environment

• Emotions can be conditioned

• Rejected introspection and mentalism

What is Operant Conditioning?

A learning process in which behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences—reinforcements or punishments (Skinner).

What did B.F. Skinner contribute?

Developed the concept of operant conditioning, reinforcement schedules, and tools like the operant chamber (Skinner box) for systematic study of behavior.

What is reinforcement in operant conditioning?

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

• Positive: adding a pleasant stimulus

• Negative: removing an unpleasant stimulus

What is punishment in operant conditioning?

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

• Positive: adding an unpleasant stimulus

• Negative: removing a pleasant stimulus

What are reinforcement schedules?

Rules that determine how and when a behavior is reinforced (e.g., fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, variable interval).

What are Skinner’s main technological innovations?

• Operant chamber (Skinner box)

• "Heir Conditioner" / Baby Tender (controlled environment for infants)

• Pigeon-guided missile project

What were major criticisms of Skinner’s behaviorism?

• Too mechanistic and reductionist

• Overemphasis on environment and reinforcement

• Ignored cognitive processes and free will

• Conducted research without clear hypotheses

• Fear of potential for behavior control and totalitarianism

What was the controversy with Skinner’s daughter and the Baby Tender?

An urban legend claimed he raised his daughter in isolation, but she clarified it was just a temperature-controlled playpen, and she was well cared for.

What book did Skinner write that sparked public fear?

Beyond Freedom and Dignity—he argued against the notion of free will, suggesting that behavior is determined by environmental conditions.

What is Neobehaviorism?

A branch of behaviorism that includes internal variables like drives and motivation (e.g., Hull, Tolman), yet still values observable behavior and scientific methods.

How did Neobehaviorism differ from Classical Behaviorism?

• Neobehaviorism allowed for unobservable constructs (like drives, cognitive maps)

• Classical behaviorism (Watson) focused strictly on observable stimulus-response behavior

What was Tolman’s key idea in behaviorism?

Purposive behaviorism—organisms are goal-directed and form cognitive maps (mental representations of the environment).

How did Skinner differ from other neobehaviorists like Hull and Tolman?

Skinner rejected theoretical constructs like "drive" and "purpose"; he focused strictly on observable behavior and environmental contingencies.

What was Skinner’s vision for society in “Walden Two”?

A utopian community governed by the principles of behaviorism—behavior shaped entirely through reinforcement for societal good.

How did behaviorism influence future psychological developments?

• Laid groundwork for applied behavior analysis

• Influenced educational psychology and addiction studies

• Paved way for the cognitive revolution

• Set the stage for the third wave of behaviorism (including cognition)

What is the “third wave” of behaviorism?

A future development that incorporates cognitive processes into behaviorist principles—will be discussed in a later lesson.