Personality 2 Psychology and Behaviorism

Focus of today's lecture: Understanding personality through behaviorist approaches, specifically classical and operant conditioning.
Previous discussions revolved around Freudian and psychoanalytical approaches that were criticized for being unmeasurable.

Behaviorism emerged as a response to the unscientific nature of psychoanalysis.
- Emphasizes observable and measurable aspects of personality.
- Philosophically, it reflects the idea of the pendulum swing between different psychological theories.

John B. Watson: One of the founding figures of behaviorism. Famous quote regarding environmental influence on development.
B.F. Skinner: Advocated for radical behaviorism, dismissing internal processes as unimportant to understanding behavior.

Definition: A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
Pavlov's Experiment: Used dogs to illustrate classical conditioning, where the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) was paired with food (unconditioned stimulus) to produce salivation (conditioned response).
- Unconditioned Stimulus: Elicits a natural response.
- Conditioned Stimulus: Initially neutral stimulus that, through association, elicits a response.
Extinction: Process by which the conditioned response weakens when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

Phobias can be developed through classical conditioning (e.g., Little Albert experiment by Watson).
- Fear responses are conditioned and can be unlearned (extinction).
- Examples of application in therapy: Pairing fear-inducing stimuli with relaxation techniques (systematic desensitization).

Definition: A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.
Key Concepts:
- Reinforcement (Positive or Negative): Increases the likelihood of a behavior by presenting or removing stimuli.
- Positive Reinforcement: Adding a pleasant stimulus (e.g., praise).
- Negative Reinforcement: Removing an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., relief from chores).
- Punishment (Positive or Negative): Decreases the likelihood of a behavior by presenting or removing stimuli.
- Positive Punishment: Adding an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., scolding).
- Negative Punishment: Removing a pleasant stimulus (e.g., taking away privileges).
Importance of Schedule of Reinforcement: Variable ratio reinforcement is highly effective and addictive (e.g., gambling).

Behaviorists argue that personality is shaped by cumulative experiences rather than innate traits.
Behavior can be modified through controlled conditioning, implying a view against the existence of free will and a neutral stance on human nature (neither inherently good nor bad).

Discussion of the darker implications of behaviorism, such as behavioral manipulation in treatments or social engineering.

Behaviorism offers valuable insights into understanding and modifying personality and behavior through conditioning techniques, providing a scientific approach to psychology that contrasts with more introspective methods.
Next lecture will transition into humanist psychology perspectives, further exploring the evolution of personality theories.