Behaviourism

Behaviourism

1. Is a perspective on learning that focuses on changes in individuals’ observable behaviors— changes in what people say or do

2. Important concepts

   • Extinction
     • Disappearance of a link between the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response.
   • Generalization
     • Ability of stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit the conditioned response.
   • Discrimination
     • Learning not to respond to stimuli that are similar to the originally conditioned stimulus

3. Respondent conditioning (Classical conditioning)

   • Begins with the involuntary responses to particular sights, sounds, or other sensations.
     • Unconditioned response (UR)
     • Unconditioned stimulus (US)
     • Conditioned stimulus (UCS)
     • Conditioned response (CR)

4. Operant conditioning

   • It focuses on how the effects of consequences on behaviors. The operant model of learning begins with the idea that certain consequences tend to make certain behaviors happen more
     • Operant
     • Reinforcement

5. Main authors

   • Pavlov
     • Conditioning
   • Skinner
     • Operant conditioning
   • Thorndike
     • Instrumental conditioning
   • Watson
     • Founder of behavorist theory