Behaviorism: Modern Applications

1234 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: History of psychology quizlet

Behaviorism is the study of human behavior and is based on the belief that all human behavior is learned. Behaviorism evolved during the 19th century and took hold in the early years of the 20th century. Notable behaviorists include Albert Bandura, Ivan Pavlov, B.F. Skinner, Edward Lee Thorndike, Edward C. Tolman, and John B. Watson. These men opposed the study of consciousness believing that psychology should instead focus on only what could be seen, heard, or touched. The result was a science of behavior that viewed human beings as machines (Schultz & Schultz, 2008). This paper offers a discussion of the evolution of behaviorism, the contributions of Albert Bandura, and the impact of behaviorism on modern psychology and life in the 21st century.

The major schools of thought which preceded behaviorism were structuralism and functionalism. Structuralism is considered the first school of psychology. Its focus was to break down mental processes into basic components, in trying to understand the elements of consciousness through introspection (Schultz & Schultz, 2008). From this form of new psychology on the structure of consciousness came functionalism which changed the focus to the functions of consciousness. Functionalism is concerned with how the mind functions, or how it is used by an organism to adapt to its environment. Functionalists studied the mind as a conglomerate or accumulation of functions and processes that lead to practical consequences in the real world (Schultz & Schultz, 2008). With the focuses of structuralism and functionalism being that of consciousness, mind, and soul behaviorism differs, in that its focus is on observable behaviors. With the irrelevance of consciousness to behaviorism a new form of psycho...

... middle of paper ...

... treatment of autistic children with its behavioristic techniques. Behaviorism may not be thriving as well as it did in the 20th century however, its theories are still being taught and applied every day.

Works Cited

Artino, A. r. (2007) Bandura, Ross, and Ross: Observational Learning and the Bobo doll. Online Submission, Retrieved from EBSCO host

Graham, S., & Weiner, B. (1996) Theories and principles of motivation. In D.C. Berliner & R. C. Calfee (Eds). Handbook of educational psychology (pp. 63-84). New York: Simon & Schuster Macmillan

Pajares (2002) Overview of social cognitive theory and of self-efficacy; Retrieved on January 27, 2011 from http://www.emory.edu/EDUCATION/mfp/eff.html

Schacter, Gilbert, & Wegner, (2009) Psychology, Fourth edition: New York, NY: Worth Publishers

Schultz & Schultz (2008) History of Psychology; Mason, OH: Cengage Learning

Show More
Related

  • Social Cognitive Theory

    2142 Words  | 5 Pages

    Social cognitive theory is different from social learning theory because it takes into account cognitive processes including thinking, memory, language, and evaluating consequences. According to social cognitive theory, individuals play a part in their development (Malone, 2002). Cognitive patterns play a very large role in depression (Furman & Bender, 2003). For example, people don’t have a motivation to move forward in difficult times if they don’t believe they are able to do so. Self- efficacy is an important part of personal agency, and a main aspect in social cognitive theory (Bandura, 2001). A person’s perceived abilities and confidence play a part in what he or she does in his or her life. Cognition becomes a motivator or a hindrance, according to social cognitive theory. A person’s perceived self- efficacy helps determine what a person chooses to do, the amount of effort they put into it, and how long they can persist if there are barriers or failures that occur. How a person sees failure is also influential (Bandura, 20...

    Read More

  • John Watson's Theory: The Stages Of Behaviorism

    1276 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1913 a new movement in psychology appeared, Behaviorism. “Introduced by John Broadus Watson when he published the classic article Psychology as the behaviorist views it.” Consequently, Behaviorism (also called the behaviorist approach) was the primary paradigm in psychology between 1920 to 1950 and is based on a number of underlying ‘rules’: Psychology should be seen as a science; Behaviorism is primarily concerned with observable behavior, as opposed to internal events, like thinking and emotion; People have no free will – a person’s environment determines their behavior; Behavior is the result of stimulus resulting in a response; and All behavior is learned from the environment. How we process these stimuli and learn from our surrounds

    Read More

  • Keller’s Theory vs. Wlodkowski’s Theory: Comparison and Contrast

    1763 Words  | 4 Pages

    Keller, John M. (2006). What Are the Elements of Learner Motivation? Retrieved July 4, 2011

    Read More

  • Theories of Teaching and Learning

    1940 Words  | 4 Pages

    Powell, K. Kalina, C. (2009). Cognitive and Social Constructivism: Developing Tools for an Effective Classroom. Education, 130(2), 241-250. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/pqdweb?did=1937522441&Fmt=7&clientId=22212&RQT=309&VName=PQD. (Document ID: 1937522441).

    Read More

  • Behaviorism Essay

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    Behaviorism is a branch of psychology that has a theoretical approach that gives emphasis to the study of behavior in place of the subject of the mind or the physiological correlates of one's behavior. Behavior is the externally visible response to a stimulus of an animal or human (Weidman). B.F. Skinner is one of the most prominent psychologists of the study of behaviorism. Skinner was on the advance of behaviorism. B.F. Skinner created a group of theories that set out to prove that subjective impetus is not what behavior in humans and animals is so much based on but that behavior is more based on possible reward received and chastisement applied to the animal or human (Newsmakers). Skinner entered into the branch of behaviorism in the 1920s. Behaviorism was still a fairly new branch to psychology at this time. However, Skinner's experiments in his libratory were broadly consideration to be electrifying and ground-breaking, illuminating an knowledge of human behavior and logistics (Newsmakers). Skinner called such behavior based on possible reward received and chastisement that was followed by the repetition of that behavior operant.

    Read More

  • B. F. Skinner's Theory Of Behaviorism

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    The school of psychological thought that B.F. Skinner is most well known for is that of behaviorism. Behaviorism is the psychological theory that individuals are born as blank slates, and that all actions are essentially learned responses to environmental stimuli. Before Skinner, behaviorism had its roots in scientists and psychologists such as John Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and Edward Thorndike. Their theories and experiments of conditioning responses to external stimuli based on other stimuli were very convincing to Skinner, who began developing the school of behaviorism into an applicable ideology.

    Read More

  • Sigmund Freud's Theory Of Humanistic Psychology

    1059 Words  | 3 Pages

    Psychoanalysis gives an understanding of the unconscious mind of human beings while behaviorism is the study of behaviors of individuals in different environments. The theory of humanistic theory emphasizes on the potential of every person and focuses on the benefits of self-actualization and growth. The humanistic theory focuses on the belief that individuals are internally good and that social and mental problems are because of deviations from the norm (Arnaud & Vanheule, 2013).

    Read More

  • Behaviorism Essay

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to the video entitled Behaviorism: A general overview of behaviorist learning theory, this approach to learning rejects the emphasis on the conscious and unconscious mind and focuses on the observable behavior of the subject. The principle of the behaviorism theory is that there is a direct association between a stimulus and the response an individual makes, the change in an individual’s behavior indicates that learning has occurred, and that individuals are not born with disposition to act in particular ways (Ormrod, 2012). In classrooms where the behavioral technique is used, there are often behavior modification and token reward systems in place (Campana, 2011).

    Read More

  • What´s Behavioral Psychology?

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    As we all know behaviorism is also known as behavioral psychology. This is based on the idea that behaviors are acquired using conditioning. This occurs when a person interacts with his or her environment. Behavior can be studied in a systematic manner only considering the observable and not including the internal thoughts of the person. Behaviors are influenced by external factors from the conditioning of parents to situations in the environment. Behaviorism is concerned primarily with the observable and measurable aspects of human behavior. The behavioral approach is based on the concept of explaining behavior through observation, and the belief that our environment is what causes us to behave differently or suffer illnesses. Therefore when behaviors become unacceptable, they can be unlearned. Behaviorism views development as a continuous process in which children play a relatively passive role. It is also a general approach that is used in a variety of settings including both clinical and educational.

    Read More

  • Behaviorism Essay

    3387 Words  | 7 Pages

    Behaviorism must be seen as a methodological proposal of explaining the behavior of organisms from the lowest to the highest. Explaining human and nonhuman behavior by reference to scientific laws and the theories expressed of physical states, events, and entities. Because modern psychology emerged roughly in the mid-19th century, information of behaviorism was gathered in its early stages by introspection (looking at your own inner states of being; your own desires, feelings, and intentions) then linking them to the outside observable state.

    Read More

  • Main contributors to behaviorism

    1205 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are three types of behaviorism. The first, methodological is a normative theory about the scientific conduct of psychology. It claims that psychology should concern itself with the behavior of organisms and not with mental states or events or with constructing internal information processing accounts of behavior. ("Behaviorism," 2000) The second is psychological behaviorism. It explains human and animal behavior in terms of external physical stimuli, responses, learning histories and reinforcements. The last type is analytical or logical behaviorism. This theory has a philosophy about the meaning of mental terms and concepts. The idea of the mental state is the idea of behavioral tendencies that shows how a person behaves in one situation compared to another.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Motivation in the Classroom

    3154 Words  | 7 Pages

    It is first important to understand how motivation works in the classroom. There are infinite procedures teachers use to achieve desired effects from their students, but there are general patterns these motivational tools follow. In order for teachers to communicate with their students, they must identify with their needs on an individual basis (Gawel, 1997). This proposal is much akin to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which states five basic needs that must be met in order to achieve full motivation. These needs, in ascending order, are as follows: physiological, security, love and belongingness, esteem and self-respect, and self-actualization (Gawel, 1997). Each of these needs details a very important issue in motivation inside the classroom and out.

    Read More

  • Behavior And Social Learning Case Study

    1175 Words  | 3 Pages

    The successful application of these theories have been very interdisciplinary in their use, being applicable in the development of disorders and even calculating spending patterns across social groups. Behaviorism and social learning have evolved beyond the original use of solely educational purposes. However, the effectiveness of the behaviorism theory has come into question as an educational approach., L’Ecuyer (2014) explains that the behaviorism approach, “emphasizes the accumulation of information (knowledge), on external behaviors (skills and mechanical habits) and their emotional and physical reactions in given situations, rather than on the person’s internal mental states, such as intentionality, which are much more complex (p.2). The article questions the modern effectiveness of the behaviorism approach on children. I have found that the theory of social learning when paired with the behaviorism theory is still very useful in education, even with the influx of modern technologies. At the very core, behaviorism, both classical and, seeks to explain why humans react to certain stimuli. Operant is more used in socially especially in child rearing, how to effectively discipline and child via reinforcement of positive behaviors or corporal punishment for negative behaviors is still a highly debated topic. Social learning can also heavily influence

    Read More

  • Essay On Behaviorism

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    In handling his students’ inappropriate behavior, Mr. Swan should follow this approach. If the students continue to talk loudly, use tools inappropriately, and hit at each other, he should use a punisher. These behaviors could include the verbal or nonverbal communications for the purpose of stopping behaviors or even a detention. When the students start doing well, they should be reinforced and rewarded for doing good. Reinforcement improves student motivation and it will be effective in helping Mr. Swan handle these students’ inappropriate behaviors.

    Read More

  • Educational Psychology

    1180 Words  | 3 Pages

    Behaviorism is the point of view where learning and behavior are described and explained in terms of stimulus-response relationships. Behaviorists agree that an individual’s behaviors is a result of their interaction with the environment. Feedback, praise and rewards are all ways people can respond to becoming conditioned. The focus is on observable events instead of events that happen in one’s head. The belief that learning has not happened unless there is an observable change in behavior. “The earliest and most Ardent of behaviourists was Watson (1931; Medcof and Roth, 1991; Hill 1997). His fundamental conclusion from many experimental observations of animal and childhood learning was that stimulus-response (S-R) connections are more likely to be established the more frequently or recently an S-R bond occurs. A child solving a number problem might have to make many unsuccessful trials before arriving at the correct solution” (Childs, 2004).

    Read More

More about Behaviorism: Modern Applications

Open Document