Behavioral Psychology Overview

Questions and Answers

what is Overt Behavior?

observable behavior, that which is readily observable, such as: facial expression, tone of the voice, body language and other gestures. (correct)

that are not readily observable such as: one’s emotions, moods and feelings.

believes that some ideas are innate at birth, this is known as nativist view.

John Locke

Stanley Hall

Rene Descartes (correct)

Sir Francis Galton

what is Covert behavior?

those that are not readily observable such as: one’s emotions, moods and feelings. (correct)

observable behavior, that which is readily observable, such as: facial expression, tone of the voice, body language and other gestures. (correct)

supported that knowledge is acquired through experiences and interaction with the world. This is known as the empiricist view.

John Locke Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of behavioral psychology?

Observable behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies classical conditioning?

A dog salivates when it hears a bell before receiving food. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

To increase the likelihood of a behavior Signup and view all the answers

John B. Watson is best known for which experiment?

The Little Albert experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element of the Bobo doll study by Albert Bandura?

Learning through observation Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a limitation of behavioral psychology?

Limited understanding of complex emotions Signup and view all the answers

B.F. Skinner is most recognized for developing which concept?

Operant conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is a practical application of behavior modification techniques?

Exposure therapy for phobias Signup and view all the answers

How does positive punishment affect behavior?

It decreases the likelihood of a behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist introduced the concept of observational learning?

Albert Bandura Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Behavioral Psychology

Focuses on observable behaviors and learning processes through environmental interaction.

Key Concepts

Classical Conditioning: Learning driven by association, transforming a neutral stimulus into a conditioned one (e.g., Pavlov's dogs).
Operant Conditioning: Shapes behaviors through consequences, either positive (reinforcements) or negative (punishments).
Reinforcement: Mechanism that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring, which can be positive (reward) or negative (removal of an adverse stimulus).
Punishment: Method that decreases the likelihood of a behavior, also categorized as positive (adding an adverse stimulus) or negative (removing a pleasant stimulus).
Observational Learning: Acquiring behaviors by observing others, as demonstrated in Albert Bandura's Bobo doll study.

Foundational Theorists

John B. Watson: Advocated for the study of observable behavior; notable for the Little Albert experiment to demonstrate learned fear.
B.F. Skinner: Developed operant conditioning; known for the Skinner box, which facilitated experiments on reinforcement and behavior modification.
Ivan Pavlov: Renowned for classical conditioning research; conducted experiments on dog salivation in response to stimuli.

Applications

Behavior Modification: Utilizes conditioning principles to alter undesirable behaviors.
Therapeutic Techniques: Includes exposure therapy for treating phobias and systematic desensitization to reduce anxiety.
Education: Employs reinforcement strategies to promote effective learning and encourage positive behavior in students.

Critiques

Criticized for its narrow focus on observable behaviors, potentially overlooking internal mental processes and cognitive functions.
Limited in addressing complex human behaviors that encompass emotional and cognitive dimensions.

Contemporary Relevance

Remains influential across various domains including therapy, education, and behavior management techniques.
Integrates with cognitive psychology, leading to a combined understanding of behavior known as the behaviorism-cognitive perspective.

Description

Explore the key concepts of behavioral psychology, including classical and operant conditioning. Understand how observable behaviors are learned through interactions with the environment. This quiz tests your knowledge of these foundational principles.