Behaviorism
Overview
Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shape our actions. According to this school of thought, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner with no consideration of internal mental states.
History
Behaviorism as a philosophy of psychology was formally introduced in the early 20th century by American psychologist, John B. Watson. Watson's work was profoundly influenced by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist known for his research on classical conditioning. Watson, in his famous paper "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It" (1913), proposed that psychology should be a purely objective experimental branch of natural science, with a goal to predict and control behavior.
In the mid-20th century, B.F. Skinner further developed this theory and introduced the concept of operant conditioning, where the consequences of a behavior determine its likelihood of being repeated. Skinner's work was influential and led to a surge in experimental research on behaviorism in the mid-20th century.
Key Concepts
Behaviorism is primarily concerned with observable behavior, as opposed to internal events like thinking and emotion. This is because observable (i.e., external) behavior can be quantified and scientifically measured, whereas internal (i.e., mental) events cannot.
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning involves learning by association, and was first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov. The famous experiment that led to the discovery of this phenomenon involved feeding dogs with the sound of a bell ringing. After repeated association, the dogs would salivate just to the sound of the bell, even if no food was present. This demonstrated that behavior can be learned by association.
Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior. B.F. Skinner, the psychologist who first described this phenomenon, suggested that if a behavior is followed by a reward (or reinforcement), it is more likely to be repeated. On the other hand, if a behavior is followed by a punishment, it is less likely to be repeated.
Reinforcement and Punishment
In operant conditioning, reinforcement and punishment are used to either increase or decrease the likelihood that a behavior will occur again in the future. Reinforcement, both positive (adding a pleasant stimulus) and negative (removing an unpleasant stimulus), increases the likelihood of a behavior. Punishment, both positive (adding an unpleasant stimulus) and negative (removing a pleasant stimulus), decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
Criticisms and Limitations
Despite its significant contributions to psychology, behaviorism has been criticized for its lack of consideration for cognitive processes, such as thoughts and emotions. Critics argue that behaviorism is a one-dimensional approach to understanding human behavior and that human behavior cannot be understood without considering internal mental processes.
Moreover, behaviorism does not account for other types of learning that occur without the use of reinforcements or punishments. Critics argue that behaviorism cannot adequately explain phenomena such as language acquisition and the effects of motivation on learning.
Impact and Influence
Despite these criticisms, behaviorism has made significant contributions to psychology. It has been used to explain a broad range of phenomena, including phobias, addictions, and conditioning. Behaviorism has also been applied in practical settings such as education, therapy, and animal training.