Terms
the philosophy that says behavior is something we can observe, measure, and explain by looking at environmental events rather than thoughts, feelings, or personality.
Behaviorism
__ agrees that thoughts and feelings exist.
Radical Behaviorism
Only observable behavior matters.
Private events don't count.
Methodological Behaviorism
Behavior has a cause.
Nothing happens "for no reason."
Determinism
Make decisions using objective data, not opinions or guesses.
Empiricism
Choose the simplest explanation before assuming something complicated.
Parsimony
If it works...
Keep doing it.
If it doesn't...
Change it.
Pragmatism
Remain open to new evidence.
Continue evaluating treatment.
Question your own conclusions.
Philosophic Doubt
Behavior is selected by its consequences. Behaviors that produce beneficial outcomes are more likely to happen again, while behaviors that do not are less likely to continue.
Selectionism
explains behavior using internal states or labels without identifying environmental variables.
Mentalism
Different behaviors that serve the same function.
Response Class
Anything that affects behavior.
Stimulus
The relationship between the antecedent, behavior, and consequence.
The "if-then" relationship.
Contingency
Behavior learned through direct experience with consequences.
Learned by doing.
Contingency-Shaped Behavior
Behavior controlled by following a rule instead of direct experience.
Learned by being told or signs.
Rule-Governed Behavior
Everything outside and inside the person that can influence behavior.
Environment
A consequence that increases a behavior.
Reinforcement
Add something after a behavior to increase it.
Positive Reinforcement
Remove something after a behavior to increase it.
Negative Reinforcement
Reinforcer that does not need to be learned.
Examples: Food, water, warmth.
Unconditioned Reinforcer
Reinforcer that becomes valuable through learning.
Conditioned Reinforcer
A conditioned reinforcer paired with many other reinforcers.
Remember: Works because it can buy or lead to many things.
Generalized Conditioned Reinforcer
The behavior itself produces the reinforcement.
No other person is needed.
Automatic Reinforcement
Another person provides the reinforcement.
Someone else delivers it.
Socially Mediated Reinforcement
A consequence that decreases a behavior.
Punishment