Watsoni · 2018-11-27 · 2. Neobehaviorism (1930-1960) Tolman, Hull, Skinner Operationism is...
Transcript of Watsoni · 2018-11-27 · 2. Neobehaviorism (1930-1960) Tolman, Hull, Skinner Operationism is...
Behaviorism II: Post Watsoni
Lecture 11
The IQ Zoo
● Established by Keller and Marian Breland
● Trained animal shows at major tourist attractions
The IQ Zoo: Bird Brain
The IQ Zoo: Bird Brain
The IQ Zoo: Muscular Goats
The IQ Zoo: Muscular Goats
Stages of Behaviorism
1. Watsonian Behaviorism (~1918 - 1930)
2. Neobehaviorism (1930-1960)○ Tolman, Hull, Skinner
○ Operationism is fundamental
3. Sociobehaviorism (1960 - 1990)○ Bandura, Rotter
○ Consideration of cognitive processes
Neobehaviorism
● Operationism was a fundamental principle and driving
force of neobehaviorism
● Attempt to increase objectivity in psychological
● Physical concepts must be operationally defined precisely
● Discard pseudo-problems
Physical Concept
Operations that Determine Concept
Neobehaviorists
● Edward Chace Tolman (1886-1959)
● Purposive Behaviorism○ Tolman wants to focus on molar behavior (vs. molecular behavior)
○ Behavior has purpose that can be objectively defined
● Proposes intervening variables drive behavior○ S-O-R versus S-R
○ Unobserved factors drive behavior
● Learning Theory○ Repetition strengthens associations
○ Sign Gestalts are cues associated with expectancies
Neobehaviorists
● Clark Leonard Hull (1884-1952)
● Mechanistic in his approach
● Hulls research methods:○ Simple observation
○ Systematic controlled observation
○ Experimentation
○ Hypothetico-deductive method
● Hull’s theory of learning focuses on reinforcement○ Law of primary reinforcement○ Habit strength
Neobehaviorists
● B. F. Skinner (1904 - 1990) was one of the most
influential psychologists of all time
● “...are theories of learning necessary?”○ Where did theories get use..nowhere!
○ Cleaner approach to behaviorism
○ Took an ‘empty organism’ approach a la Locke’s Tabula Rasa○ Devoted to the study of responses
○ Descriptive Behaviorism
Neobehaviorists
● Operant Conditioning was the experimental technique
popularized by Skinner○ Behavior is controlled and shaped through its consequences○ Develops a Law of Acquisition
Neobehaviorists● Schedules of Reinforcement
○ Reinforcement is not
always as consistent as in
the lab
○ Fixed ratio, Fixed interval,
Variable ratio, Variable
interval
Neobehaviorists
● Complex behaviors are learned through a process of
successive approximation● Operant conditioning leads to development of Behavior
Modification techniques○ Change undesirable behavior
○ Application of reinforcement
● Criticisms of Skinner’s behaviorism?
● Contributions of Skinner’s Behaviorism?
Sociobehaviorism
● The beginnings of the cognitive challenge to behaviorism
● Return to study of mental or cognitive processes
● Albert Bandura (1925 - Not Dead!)○ Develops a Social-Cognitive Theory○ Stressed the influence of external reinforcers
○ Incorporates modeling and vicarious reinforcement○ Self-Efficacy is instrumental in learning
● Influence of ‘self’ and ‘others’ in learning
Fate of Behaviorism?
● Methodological behaviorists
● Radical behaviorists
● Behavior is vital in modern psychology