Chapter 1 (Lecture)

Behavorial Perspective

A psychological approach that focuses on observable actions and external environmental stimuli rather than internal thoughts or feelings

• Focus on how the environmental stimulus causes the behavioral response

• Internal mental processes are not of interest

What was Pavlov studying in dogs and what did he find?

Pavlov was researching the digestive system in dogs

• Dogs salivated to meat powder in mouths

But then, salivated to other stimuli associated with the presentation of meat powder

• Ex. Hearing footsteps

Classical Conditioning

Type of automatic learning where a neutral signal is paired with a natural reflex, leading to the signal triggering that automatic response on its own

Before conditioning example with the dog and tuning fork

Dog salivates when food is presented and has no response to the tuning fork

• Food= the unconditioned stimulus

• Salivation= the unconditioned response (no prior learning neccessary, it’s biological)

• Tuning Fork= neutral stimulus

During conditioning example with the dog and tuning fork

Repeated Pairing of the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus

• Tuning fork and food are paired to form the unconditioned response (salivation)

• Needs repeated pairing to work!

After conditioning example with the dog and tuning fork:

Dog salivates in response to the tuning fork

• Tuning fork= conditioned stimulus

• Salivation= conditioned response

What did John Watson do?

He:

• Started the behaviorism movement (belief that the environment controls behavior)

• Used classical conditioning to condition fear in a young infant (Little Albert)

How was Watson’s conditioning of Little Albert an example of classical conditioning?

Little Albert is an example of classical conditioning

• Unconditioned response= fear, we are biologically conditioned to feel fear

• Watson wanted Albert to fear a white rat (neutral stimulus), and paired it with a loud noise (unconditioned stimulus)

• As a result, Little Albert became fearful of white rats and other white, fluffy things

What is Edward Thorndike’s Law of Effect?

Behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while actions followed by unpleasant outcomes are less likely to be repeated

• Behavior that produces a favorable effect on the environment is more likely to be repeated in the future

• Behavior change is due to environmental consequences

• We can influence voluntary behaviors

Example of Law of Effect with Cats

In the video, cats will repeat the behavior that leads to a favorable outcome

• Ex. Getting out of the box

What did B.F Skinner do?

BF Skinner differentiated classical conditioning from operant conditioning

• Operant conditioning= foundational for use of environmental consequences to modify human behavior

What is the chain for Operant Conditioning?

1. The trigger, setting, or environment that occurs before the behavior.

2. Behavior occurs

3. Consequence of the behavior

What theory did Albert Bandura come up with?

Came up with social learning:

• Behavior isn’t just learned in response to environmental consequences (positive and negative reinforcement/punishment)

• Observation and modeling are key

• People learn new behaviors, values, and attitudes by watching others

• Also emphasized, self-efficacy and the role of beliefs

What is an example of social learning?

The Bobo doll experiments are an example

• Kids punched dolls when role models/ authority figures punched them, when they wouldn’t normally do so

• Also, they expanded on the adults’ actions

How can observational learning be good and bad?

Observational learning of bad behavior occurs

• But can also use observational learning strategically to build skills

• Ex. In- vivo and video modeling (Ex. Youtube)