102.Behaviorism(CLASSICAL CONDITIONING)

Behaviorism

Focuses strictly on observable and measurable human behaviors. It emphasizes outward actions rather than hidden thoughts or emotions. All behaviors are driven by environmental stimuli and can be unlearned or replaced.

Tabula Rasa

• Translates to "blank slate". It proposes that the mind starts with no existing knowledge, and all learning comes through experience and exposure.

Framework of Behavioral Theories

Classical Conditioning (Automatic Reactions)

Connectionism (Trial and Error)

Operant Conditioning (Rewards & Consequences)

Neo-Behaviorism: Purposive (Mental Maps)

Neo-Behaviorism: Social Learning (Monkey See, Monkey Do)

Classical Conditioning (Automatic Reactions)

The Idea: Learning things your body does automatically without even thinking about it. 

Example:Every time your teacher rings a little bell, it’s time for recess. Soon, whenever you hear that bell ring, you automatically feel happy and jump up to run outside!

Connectionism (Trial and Error)

The Idea:Learning by trying, making mistakes, and practicing.

Example: Think of figuring out a tricky video game level or a wooden puzzle. You try one way and fail, try another way until it works, and practice until you can do it easily every time.

Operant Conditioning (Rewards & Consequences)

The Idea:Learning through choices based on what happens next. 

Example:If you clean your room, your parents give you extra playtime(Reward/Reinforcement). If you throw a toy, it gets taken away (Punishment). You quickly learn which behaviors bring good things!

Neo-Behaviorism: Purposive (Mental Maps)

The Idea: Learning where things are and saving that information in your brain for later.

 Example:You walk around your school every day. Even if nobody quizzes you on it, you secretly build a "mental map" in your head. If someone asks you where the nurse's office is, you can walk right to it!

Neo-Behaviorism: Social Learning (Monkey See, Monkey Do)

The Idea: Learning just by watching other people.

Example:You watch an older kid do a cool dance move or tie their shoes. You don't need a textbook—you just watch them closely and copy what they did.

Pavlov's Classical Conditioning Process

• Learning occurs by associating a specific reflex response with a new stimulus based on prior experiences.

Key Classical Conditioning Terminologies(CDGE)

Contiguity

Discrimination

Generalization

Extinction

Contiguity

Two things happening right next to each other in time so your brain links them together. 

| Hearing lightning and seeing a flash at the exact same time makes you connect them instantly.

Discrimination

Knowing the exact difference between two similar things and only reacting to one. 

| Knowing your own school recess bell sound vs. a doorbell, and only running outside for your school bell! 

Generalization

Reacting the exact same way to similar things without picking out the difference. 

| Being scared of a cute little white rabbit, and then also becoming scared of white fuzzy slippers and white dogs.

Extinction

Forgetting the connection because the trigger stopped bringing the reward. 

| If the bell rings 50 times with no food, your mouth stops watering because your brain realizes the trick is over. 

Father of Behaviorism

John B. Watson

John B. Watson

• He proposed that all individual differences in human behavior stem entirely from different learning experiences.

• The Little Albert Experiment