1. Behaviorism Theory Overview Theorists Famous Experiments
Behaviorism focuses on the observable relationship between an organisms action and the external environment
Universal learning processes, or conditioning, investigates how different stimuli increase or decrease a behavior
Classical Conditioning is a form of associative learning when a reflex is paired with a new stimulus to elicit an automatic response
Operant Conditioning uses reinforcement or punishment to alter the frequency of a voluntary behavior
Theorists
John Watson was a radical behaviorism that believed that organisms are born a “blank slate” and all behavioral and emotional responses were learned through interaction with the environment.
Watson said that he could take 12 infants and through changing their environment make them into anything.
B. F. Skinner is famous for his work on Operant Conditioning and laid the foundation for modern Applied Behavioral Analysis.
Skinner’s book “The Behavior of Organisms” took a controversial position stating that the behavior of all organisms, including humans, is controlled by basic environmental relationships.
Skinner’s work on the schedules of reinforcement is highly influential today in ABA therapy.
Famous Experiments
The Little Albert Experiment was conducted by John Watson to establish how fear responses are classically conditioned or learned through association. In this experiment an orphan infant interacted with several animals without fear. When presented with a white rat, Watson made a loud noise behind the infants head. This was repeated several times until the white rat alone was enough to make the infant cry.
During WWII, Skinner developed a pigeon guided missile by using operant conditioning procedures. Pilot pigeons were rewarded with food after they pecked at enemy warships, directing the missile to the target.