Key Concepts in Behaviorism and Behavior Analysis

Scientific Understanding: Description

Systematic observation of events.

Scientific Understanding: Prediction

Repeated observation shows correlation.

Scientific Understanding: Control

Functional relationships established.

Attribute: Determinism

Events have causes; nothing is random.

Attribute: Empiricism

Knowledge comes from observation.

Attribute: Experimentation

Controlled conditions to test variables.

Attribute: Replication

Repeating studies to check reliability.

Attribute: Parsimony

Use the simplest explanation first.

Attribute: Philosophic Doubt

Question everything; always be skeptical.

Attribute: Pragmatism

Truth is what works in real life.

Radical Behaviorism

Includes private events in analysis.

Methodological Behaviorism

Only studies observable behavior.

Radical vs Methodological Behaviorism

Private events included vs excluded.

Hypothetical Constructs

Fictional, unobservable processes.

Explanatory Fictions

Fake reasons (e.g., "he's lazy").

Circular Reasoning

Using label as the cause (e.g., "he acts that way because he's aggressive").

Field: Behaviorism

Philosophy behind behavior science.

Field: ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)

Using behavior principles to change behavior.

Field: Behavior Analysis

Entire science of behavior study.

Field: EAB (Experimental Analysis of Behavior)

Lab research on behavior principles.

Dependent Variable

What is measured (behavior).

Independent Variable

What is changed or manipulated.

Motivating Operation (MO)

Alters value of a reinforcer.

Establishing Operation (EO)

Makes reinforcer more effective.

Abolishing Operation (AO)

Makes reinforcer less effective.

Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

Signals reinforcement is available.

S-Delta (SΔ)

Signals no reinforcement is available.

Reflexive Response

Automatic, involuntary behavior.

Stimulus Function

Effect stimulus has on behavior.

Operant Behavior

Learned, voluntary behavior.

Behavior vs Response

Behavior = general; Response = specific instance.

Response Class

Different responses, same function.

Stimulus Class

Different stimuli, same effect.

Respondent Conditioning

Automatic learning via associations (Pavlov).

Operant Rate

How often a behavior occurs.

Latency

Time between stimulus and response.

Topography

What behavior looks like.

Function

Why behavior occurs (its purpose).

B.F. Skinner

Father of operant conditioning.

Ivan Pavlov

Discovered classical conditioning.

John Watson

Founder of behaviorism.

Edward Thorndike

Law of Effect; consequences shape behavior.

Phylogenetic Behavior

Inherited, evolutionary behavior.

Ontogenetic Behavior

Learned through experience.

Reflexive Behavior

Unlearned, automatic response.

Law of Threshold

Minimum strength needed to cause response.

Law of Intensity Magnitude

More intense stimulus → stronger response.

Habituation

Decrease in response to repeated stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Automatically triggers response.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Triggers learned response.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Initially does not cause response.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Natural, automatic response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

Learned response to CS.

Delayed Conditioning

NS presented and overlaps with US.

Trace Conditioning

NS then pause, then US.

Backward Conditioning

US before NS.

Compound Stimuli

Multiple stimuli presented together.

Overshadowing

Stronger stimulus blocks weaker one.

Blocking

Old CS prevents new learning.

Respondent Generalization

CR to similar stimuli.

Respondent Discrimination

CR only to specific stimuli.

Respondent Acquisition

NS becomes CS through pairing.

Respondent Extinction

CS presented alone, CR fades.

Spontaneous Recovery (Respondent)

CR briefly returns after extinction.

Contiguity of Stimuli

Timing between stimuli affects learning.

SDp

Signals punishment is likely.

Operant Chamber

Used to study operant behavior.

Premack Principle

High-frequency behavior reinforces low-frequency behavior.

Elicited Response

Triggered automatically (reflex).

Emitted Response

Voluntary, operant behavior.

Three-Term Contingency

Antecedent → Behavior → Consequence.

Positive Reinforcement

Add to increase behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Remove to increase behavior.

Positive Punishment

Add to decrease behavior.

Negative Punishment

Remove to decrease behavior.

Unconditioned Reinforcer

Naturally reinforcing (e.g., food).

Unconditioned Punisher

Naturally punishing (e.g., pain).

Conditioned Reinforcer

Learned reinforcer (e.g., praise).

Conditioned Punisher

Learned punisher (e.g., 'no').

Generalized Reinforcer

Works in many situations (e.g., money).

Generalized Punisher

Punishing across situations.

Extinction

Stop reinforcing behavior.

Extinction Burst

Temporary increase in behavior.

Resistance to Extinction

Behavior continues despite no reinforcement.

Extinction-Induced Variability

New forms of behavior appear.

Reinstatement

Behavior returns after it stopped.

Emotional Response

Frustration, aggression from extinction.

Spontaneous Recovery (Operant)

Behavior returns after pause.

Function vs Topography

Purpose vs appearance of behavior.

Reinforcement is Functional

Defined by effect, not by what it looks like.

Automatic Reinforcement

No one else involved.

Automatic Positive Reinforcement (APR)

Feels good by itself (e.g., humming).

Automatic Negative Reinforcement (ANR)

Removes discomfort without help.

Automatic Positive Punishment (APP)

Own behavior causes discomfort.

Automatic Negative Punishment (ANP)

Own behavior removes desired thing.

Socially Mediated PR/NR/PP/NP

Others deliver or remove reinforcers/punishers.