Lesson 12 - The Development and Impact of Behaviorism

What is the main focus of behaviorism?

Behaviorism focuses on studying observable behavior rather than introspection or internal mental states.

What did Ivan Sechenov contribute to psychology?

Ivan Sechenov contributed to the foundation of behaviorism by explaining psychic phenomena through associationism and materialism, insisting that external stimulation causes behavior.

What was the title of Ivan Sechenov's main work?

Reflexes of the Brain (1863).

What concept did Sechenov emphasize in his studies?

Sechenov emphasized the concept of inhibition, explaining how stimulation of one part of the brain could decrease activity in another part.

How did Sechenov view consciousness?

Sechenov believed that consciousness exists but can be explained by physical processes triggered by external events.

What is the significance of Ivan Pavlov in psychology?

Ivan Pavlov is known for his discovery of the conditioned reflex and the development of classical conditioning.

What was Pavlov's main work?

Conditioned Reflexes (1927).

What did Pavlov's experiments with dogs reveal?

Pavlov's experiments revealed the principles of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a reflexive response.

What principles did Pavlov identify in relation to conditioned reflexes?

Pavlov identified the principles of contiguity and frequency in relation to conditioned reflexes.

What was Pavlov's educational background?

Pavlov graduated as an MD from the Military Medical Academy of St Petersburg and studied at the University of Leipzig.

How did Pavlov's views on psychology differ from those of Sechenov?

Pavlov was more focused on physiological research and less interested in psychology as a discipline, while Sechenov was an early proponent of objective psychology.

What did Pavlov think about mentalism?

Pavlov was hostile to the idea of mentalism and fined students for using it in their explanations.

What two types of activity did Pavlov believe characterize the central nervous system?

Pavlov believed that all central nervous system activity can be characterized by excitation and inhibition.

What was the impact of Russian psychologists on the development of behaviorism?

Russian psychologists like Sechenov, Pavlov, and Bechterev laid the foundation for behaviorism by promoting objective psychology.

What was the significance of objective psychology in behaviorism?

Objective psychology emphasized the study of measurable and observable behaviors, moving away from introspection.

What did Sechenov believe about human behavior?

Sechenov believed that all human behavior could be explained through the excitation and inhibition of reflexes.

How did Pavlov's background influence his research?

Pavlov's background in physiology and medicine influenced his focus on the physiological aspects of behavior and conditioning.

What was the relationship between Pavlov and Sechenov?

Pavlov did not study under Sechenov, as Sechenov had already left the Military Medical Academy by the time Pavlov attended.

What did Pavlov's research contribute to the field of psychology?

Pavlov's research contributed to the understanding of learning processes through classical conditioning.

What is the relationship between excitation and inhibition in Pavlov's theory?

Excitation and inhibition are two fundamental processes that characterize all activity in the central nervous system according to Pavlov.

What was the educational environment like for Pavlov as an instructor?

Pavlov was known as a difficult but fair instructor who valued objective research.

What was the main goal of behaviorism as it developed from its roots?

The main goal of behaviorism was to establish psychology as a science by focusing on observable behavior and measurable phenomena.

What are the two processes that characterize all central nervous system activity according to Pavlov?

Excitation and inhibition.

How does Pavlov describe behavior in relation to antecedent stimulation?

All behavior is reflexive and caused by antecedent stimulation.

What happens if unconditioned stimuli and conditioned stimuli are not modified by inhibition?

They will elicit unconditioned and conditioned reflexes, respectively.

Who was Vladimir Bechterev and what was his contribution to psychology?

Vladimir Bechterev was a Russian psychologist who established the first experimental psychology laboratory in Russia and contributed to neurological science.

What was Bechterev's educational background?

He graduated from the Military Academy of St Petersburg in 1878, studied mental and nervous diseases, and earned his doctorate in 1881.

Which notable psychologists did Bechterev study with?

Wilhelm Wundt in Leipzig and Jean-Martin Charcot in Paris.

What was Bechterev's stance on Ivan Pavlov's methods?

Bechterev was harshly critical of Pavlov's methods and findings.

What is Reflexology according to Bechterev?

Reflexology is the belief that all behavior can be explained by objectively studying reflexes.

How did Bechterev's approach to psychology differ from traditional methods?

He focused on observable traits rather than subjective consciousness and introspection.

What impact did Bechterev's work have on later psychological movements?

His objective approach influenced Gestalt Psychology and Behaviorism.

What was John Broadus Watson's early family background?

Watson was born on a farm in South Carolina, raised by a mother who hoped he would become a minister and a father who was an alcoholic.

How did Watson's father impact his life?

Watson resented his father for abandoning the family and refused to reconcile with him later in life.

What was Watson's educational path?

He attended Furman University, earning both his BA and MA, initially intending to become a minister.

What personal challenges did Watson face during his childhood?

He had a fear of the dark and experienced anxiety attacks.

What was Watson's impression at Furman University?

He was remembered as brilliant but lazy and insolent.

What significant event in Watson's life occurred in 1899?

His mother died, which he felt released him from his promise to become a minister.

What university did Watson attend to study philosophy?

The University of Chicago.

Who was Watson's philosophy mentor at the University of Chicago?

John Dewey.

What approach to behavior analysis did Watson develop?

Behaviorism.

What was the title of Watson's dissertation?

The psychical development of the white rat.

In what year was Watson's dissertation accepted?

1903

Who did Watson marry while at the University of Chicago?

Mary Ickes.

What was the significance of Watson's research on the white rat?

It gained him a national reputation.

In what year did Watson obtain a position at Johns Hopkins University?

1908

When did Watson give a series of lectures that launched behaviorism?

In 1913.

What was the title of Watson's famous article published in 1914?

Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It.

How did Watson define psychology?

As a purely objective branch of natural science.

What did Watson argue should be removed from psychology?

Philosophy and introspection.

What did Watson believe about the difference between humans and animals?

He argued there was no difference; humans were just animals.

What did Watson say about consciousness in relation to psychology?

The presence or absence of consciousness had no bearing on psychology.

What position did Watson hold in the American Psychological Association in 1914?

President.

What did Watson advocate for psychology during his presidency?

To become an applied science.

What concept did Watson introduce as a substitute for introspection?

The conditioned motor reflex.

What was Watson's understanding of Pavlov's work?

Limited, but he believed measurement of reflex responses could substitute for introspection.

How did Watson view human interaction in his experiments?

He showed little interest in it and did not care about the language of participants.

What concern did some critics have about Watson's claim regarding responses?

That all responses were reflexive, which seemed excessively tied to materialism.

What did Watson's critics believe about models of mental illness?

They stressed maladaptation to the environment, which Watson's views undermined.

Did Watson have knowledge of Russian Objective Psychology?

The notes do not provide a clear answer.

What were the basic emotional reactions identified by John Watson in his experiments with infants?

Fear, rage, and love.

How did Watson instill fear in infants during his experiments?

By dropping the infant, making loud noises, and startling the sleeping infant.

What emotional reaction was engendered by thwarting an infant in Watson's experiments?

Rage.

What response did Watson associate with stroking or manipulating an erogenous zone in infants?

Love.

What infamous experiments are associated with Watson's three emotional reactions?

The 'little Albert' experiments.

What role did John Watson play during World War I?

He served on the psychology committee of the National Research Council (NRC) and advocated for intelligence testing for recruits.

What were the two types of intelligence tests developed during World War I, and who were they for?

The 'alpha' test for literate recruits and the 'beta' test for illiterate recruits.

What was Watson's opinion of the Army during his service in World War I?

He described the experience as a nightmare, criticizing the incompetence and extravagance he observed.

What was the outcome of Watson's attitude towards the Army?

His superiors were reportedly preparing to send him to the frontline when the war ended.

What significant change occurred in the use of personnel testing after World War I?

The use of personnel testing increased as the federal government mobilized rapidly and did not return to its pre-war role.

What was Watson's marital situation during his affair with Rosalie Rayner?

His marriage to Mary Ickes was troubled, leading to his affair with Rayner.

Who was Rosalie Rayner, and what was her relationship to Watson?

She was Watson's graduate assistant and the daughter of a prominent Baltimore family.

How old was Rosalie Rayner when she began her affair with John Watson?

19 years old.

What was Watson's age when he began his affair with Rosalie Rayner?

42 years old.

What role did Rosalie Rayner play in Watson's research?

She assisted Watson in the 'Little Albert' experiment.

What scandal arose from Watson's affair with Rosalie Rayner?

Watson's wife discovered love letters he had written to Rayner, which were published during their divorce trial.

What was the relationship between Rosalie Rayner's family and Johns Hopkins University?

Her family donated lavishly to the university.

What was the impact of World War I on the relationship between science and government according to Watson's experience?

It shaped a lasting relationship where psychology aimed for greater efficiency and rationality in society.

What did Watson return to after his service in the Army?

He returned to Johns Hopkins University in 1919.

What was the primary language of the published work of Pavlov and Bechterev that Watson had limited acquaintance with?

Russian.

Which psychologist's approaches to experimentation did Watson favor?

Bechterev's approaches.

What was the National Research Council (NRC) created for during World War I?

To coordinate the war effort.

What was Watson's claim about his emotional reactions toward another person?

Watson claimed that every cell he has is collectively and individually dedicated to the other person, expressing total positive reactions.

What did Watson express a desire for in his relationship, as indicated by his comments on time?

He wanted to spend all 24 hours with the person and was frustrated that days are not longer.

What event in 1920 significantly impacted John Watson's academic career?

Watson's divorce from Mary led to his departure from academia due to scandal.

What was the reaction of Watson's former mentor, James Angell, when Watson sought a job at the University of Chicago?

Angell expressed disgust at Watson's request.

Who was the only faculty member to show sympathy to Watson after his scandal?

Edward Titchener suggested that Watson should disappear for five or ten years.

What was the name of Watson's second wife, and how long did they stay married?

Watson married Rosalie Rayner in 1921, and they remained together until her death in 1935.

What was the aim of the 'Little Albert' experiment conducted by Watson?

Watson aimed to determine which emotions were learned and which were inherited.

What was the age of 'Little Albert' during Watson's experiments, and what was his real name?

'Little Albert' was nine months old, and his real name was Douglas Merritte.

What were some of the emotional responses Watson intended to provoke in 'Little Albert'?

Watson intended to provoke emotions of anger, fear, and love.

What criticism was directed at Watson's methodology in the 'Little Albert' experiments?

His methodology was considered crude, and the results could not be generalized due to the lack of participants and the health issues of 'Little Albert'.

What health issues did Douglas Merritte ('Little Albert') face during his life?

He suffered from lethargy, lack of emotional response, and died at age six from water on the brain, possibly caused by meningitis.

What was the title of Watson's influential work published in 1924?

His work was titled 'Behaviorism'.

How did Watson view the role of psychology in society?

He believed psychology should predict and control human behavior and eliminate outdated societal constructs like family, religion, and law.

What was Watson's stance on the application of psychology to modern living?

He argued that the judicious application of psychology would lead to greater happiness.

What type of job did Stanley Resor offer Watson after his academic career?

Stanley Resor offered Watson a job in market research at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency.

What marketing strategies did Watson advocate in his advertising work?

He advocated the use of fear, rage, and love in advertising campaigns, as well as the value of celebrity endorsements.

What was the outcome of Watson's contract with the New School for Social Research?

His contract was terminated in 1926 due to sexual misconduct.

What was Watson's view on the antecedents of behaviorism?

He acknowledged the contributions of William James and others but likened their approaches to outdated methods in an automotive era.