Behaviourism
Neo-behaviourism
Key Contributors
Research and Impact
Behaviourism in practice
100

What is Behaviorism?

Behaviorism is the theory that all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment, focusing on observable behavior rather than internal mental states.

100

What is Neo-behaviorism?

Neo-behaviorism is an extension of behaviorism that incorporates some internal processes, such as cognition, into the explanation of behavior.

100

Who is John B. Watson and what was his contribution to behaviorism?

John B. Watson is the founder of behaviorism, known for his work on classical conditioning and the belief that psychology should focus only on observable behavior.

100

What experiment did John B. Watson conduct to demonstrate classical conditioning?

John B. Watson conducted the "Little Albert" experiment, conditioning a child to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise.

100

What is positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?

Positive reinforcement is the addition of a stimulus following a behavior, which increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

200

Who founded the theory of behaviorism, and in what year?

John B. Watson founded the theory of behaviourism in 1913.

200

How does Neo-behaviorism differ from traditional behaviorism?

While traditional behaviorism focuses strictly on observable behaviors, Neo-behaviorism considers intervening variables like cognition that mediate the relationship between stimulus and response.

200

How did Ivan Pavlov contribute to behaviorism?

Ivan Pavlov contributed by discovering classical conditioning through his experiments with dogs, which demonstrated learning through association.

200

How did B.F. Skinner’s research on operant conditioning impact modern psychology?

Skinner's research led to the development of behavior modification techniques, which are widely used in therapy, education, and behavior management.

200

How is behaviorism applied in educational settings?

Behaviorism is applied through techniques like reinforcement and punishment to shape student behavior, using rewards to encourage desired behaviors and consequences to discourage undesirable ones.

300

What is the key principle of classical conditioning in behaviorism?

Classical conditioning involves learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and elicits a conditioned response.

300

What key similarity exists between behaviorism and neo-behaviorism?

Both approaches emphasize empirical research and the study of observable behaviors, with Neo-behaviorism expanding to include inferred cognitive processes.

300

What was B.F. Skinner’s major contribution to behaviorism?

B.F. Skinner developed the theory of operant conditioning, which focuses on how consequences shape behavior through reinforcement and punishment.

300

How did Pavlov’s research influence the development of behaviorism?

Pavlov’s research on classical conditioning provided the foundation for behaviorism by demonstrating that behavior could be learned through associations.

300

In behaviorism, what is extinction?

Extinction is the process by which a conditioned response gradually weakens and disappears when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.