Transcript Assumptions of Behaviorism

Behavioral Approach
Assumptions of Behaviorism
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All species of animals learn in similar (equal
ways with the same guiding principles
To understand learning processes, focus on
stimulus and responses
Internal process should be excluded from the
study of learning.
Learning is evidenced by a behavior change
Assumptions of Behaviorism (cont.)
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Organisms are blank slates at birth
Learning is a result of environmental events
Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus (stimulus that naturally
produces a desired response; food)
Unconditioned Response (response naturally
occurring in the presence of the US; salivating)
Conditioned Stimulus (neutral stimulus paired
with the US; bell)
Conditioned Response (response occurring in the
presence of the CS)
Classical Conditioning
US
US + CS
CS
-
UR
UR
CR
Response may generalize to other stimuli
similar to the CS.
Operant Conditioning
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Positive and Negative Reinforcement
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Positive and Negative Punishment
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In general, reinforcement may be
continuous (or fixed) or partial (or
intermittent)
Reinforcement
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Positive reinforcer: “Rewards” or something
desireable is received after a behavior
occurs
Negative reinforcer: “Escapes” or
something undesirable is avoided after a
behavior occurs
Punishment
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Presentation punishment: An undesirable
stimulus is received after a behavior occurs
Removal punishment: A desireable is lost or
removed after a behavior occurs
Antecedents
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A prompt of cue that comes before a behavior
that results in the correct behavior being
elicited.
Comparisons
Operant
conditioning
Classical
conditioning
A response (R) is
followed by a reinforcing
stimulus (S)
Voluntary behavior:
emitted by an organism
Two stimuli, UCS and
CS, are paired
R
OR: S-R-S
CS
S
Involuntary behavior :
elicited by a stimulus
CR
Mowrer’s two factor theory
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Mowrer (1960) described a model where both
classical and operant conditioning work to
influence the maintenance of psychopathology.
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Initial fear acquisition through classical
conditioning  naturally leads to avoidance of
feared stimuli (negative reinforcement) 
avoidance prevents contact with feared stimulus
so extinction can’t take place.
Observational Learning
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Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment.
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Evolution may also play a role in observational
learning.
Cognitive Theories
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Types of cognition
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Causal attributions
Control beliefs
Dysfunctional
assumptions
Feelings
Thoughts
Behaviors