Clever Hans
What were some of Hans abilities?
Clever Hans could add and subtract, use fractions and decimals, read, identify coins, play card games, spell, recognize objects, and perform feats of memory.
Who was the American psychologist credited with promoting behaviorism as a revolutionary movement?
John B. Watson
What was Jacques Loeb's theory of animal behavior based on?
Jacques Loeb's theory of animal behavior was based on the concept of tropism, which is an involuntary forced movement.
Who was one of the most important researchers in the development of animal psychology and formulated a mechanistic learning theory?
Edward Lee Thorndike.
What was one of Pavlov's major contributions to the study of learning and behavior?
Pavlov's major contribution was the discovery of conditioned reflexes, which revolutionized the understanding of learning from a subjective to an objective and quantifiable perspective.
How did Clever Hans communicate his answers to questions?
Clever Hans communicated his answers by tapping his hoof a specific number of times or by nodding his head in the direction of the appropriate object.
What were the basic tenets of Watson's behaviorism? (what was his focus)
Watson's behaviorism advocated for a scientific psychology that focused only on observable behavioral acts, rejected mentalistic concepts, and emphasized objectivity.
What was the significance of Robert Yerkes's studies in animal behavior?
Robert Yerkes's studies in animal behavior strengthened the position and influence of comparative psychology.
What was the law developed by Thorndike in 1898 that proposed a similar concept to Pavlov's law of reinforcement?
The law of effect.
What were the key differences in research focus between Ivan Pavlov and Vladimir Bekhterev?
Ivan Pavlov primarily focused on conditioning research related to glandular secretions, while Vladimir Bekhterev concentrated on motor conditioning responses, applying Pavlov's principles to muscular reactions.
Who was Clever Hans's owner and what was his occupation?
Clever Hans's owner was Wilhelm von Osten, a retired mathematics teacher.
What did Watson say about thinking and feeling?
Watson didn't think thinking and feeling were important for psychology. He said we should only study what we can see, like actions.
What conclusion did the committee investigating Clever Hans reach in 1904?
The committee concluded that Clever Hans was not receiving intentional signals or cues from his owner and that there was no fraud or deceit involved in his performances.
What was the name of the approach to learning developed by Thorndike, emphasizing connections between situations and responses?
Connectionism.
How did Pavlov conduct his laboratory research?
While Pavlov rarely conducted experiments himself, he supervised a large team of researchers who produced over 500 scientific papers under his direction. He operated his laboratory like a factory, closely overseeing experiments and interpreting results.
What was the primary motivation behind Wilhelm von Osten's efforts with Clever Hans?
Wilhelm von Osten's goal was to prove that humans and animals have similar mental processes and that with the right training, animals like horses could display intelligence.
What did Watson think about the mind (consciousness)?
Watson didn't think the mind was important. He thought psychology should only study what we can observe, not things inside our heads.
How many animals studies were published on Animal Psychology in 1908
What was the main object or apparatus Thorndike used in his cat experiment?
The puzzle box.
What role did reinforcement play in Pavlov's experiments on conditioned reflexes?
Reinforcement served as a crucial factor that strengthened the association between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus.
How did Clever Hans respond to a question about the number of corners in a circle?
Clever Hans shook his head from side to side to indicate that there were no corners in a circle.
What did behaviorism say about humans?
Behaviorism said humans were like machines. It focused on what people did, not what they thought or felt.
What challenges did individuals face in pursuing a career as animal psychologists during the early days of the field?
Pursuing a career as animal psychologists during the early days of the field posed numerous challenges, including limited job opportunities, skepticism from state legislators and university administrators regarding the practical value of the field, and the perception that animal psychology lacked direct relevance to public service.
What term did Thorndike use to describe learning based on the repetition of response tendencies that lead to success?
Trial-and-error learning.
What was the name for the building that Pavlov set up for his experiments, which contributed to the reliability of his findings?
The Tower of Silence