Psy 306

Psy 306 HISTORY OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY
Spring 2006
Instructor: Art Warmoth

STUDY GUIDE #2
3 weeks

BEHAVIORISM ("OBJECTIVITY")

Objectives:

Understand the historical significance of the classification of knowledge as "objective" or "subjective" in the history of modern thought.
Understand the two types of conditioning (classical and operant) and how they work.
Understand the historical significance of Clark L. Hull, Edward C. Tolman, B. F. Skinner, and the relationship between them.
Understand the educational and therapeutic importance of the behavior modification approach.
Understand the basic premises and significance of the logical positivist philosophy of science.

Readings:

From Ludy T. Benjamin, Jr. A History of Psychology:

Ch. 13. Behaviorism (John. B. Watson)

Ch. 14. Neobehaviorism (Tolman, Hull, Skinner)

Excerpts from B. F. Skinner. Walden Two & Beyond Freedom and Dignity

Key Terms:

IVAN PAVLOV

Classical Conditioning (Type S)
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)/Response (UCR)
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)/Response (CR)
Conditioned Reflex

JOHN B. WATSON

"Behaviorist Manifesto"
Little Albert

EDWARD C. TOLMAN

Cognitive Maps

CLARK L. HULL

Symbolic Constructs
Drive
Habit Strength (SHR)

B. F. SKINNER

Operant Conditioning
Emitted Response
Positive Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement
Punishment
Behavior Modification
Schedules of Reinforcement:

Fixed vs. Variable

Ratio vs. Interval

STUDY QUESTIONS (Complete for Credit):

Match the correct definition to the key terms (may be submitted individually or as a study/suppport group).

Part A. Key Terms
____ Operant Conditioning
____ Positive Reinforcement
____ Negative Reinforcement
____ Behavior Modification
____Drive
____ Interval Reinforcement
____ Ratio Reinforcement
____ Type S Conditioning
____ Type R Conditioning
____ Symbolic Constructs

Part B. Definitions

1. A pleasant or rewarding stimulus.

2. Removal of an irritant or uncomfortable stimulus.

3. Abbreviated theoretical representation of intervening variables tied to operational definitions

4. Shaping behavior through the use of reward or reinforcement.

5. A spontaneous behavior that can be shaped by reward or reinforcement.

6. The practical application of Skinner's principles of operant conditioning, especially in therapy and institutional settings

7. A reinforcement schedule based on time.

8. A reinforcement schedule based on frequency of response.

9. Skinner's term for "classical conditioning."

10. Skinner's term for "operant conditioning."

11. A variable often measured by hours of deprivation

Multiple Choice

1. Pavlov found that placing food powder in the dog's mouth increased the saliva flow. In this situation, the increased saliva flow was a(n)

a. unconditioned stimulus (US)
b. unconditioned response (UR)
c. conditioned stimulus (CS)
d conditioned response (CR)

2. For Watson, the goal of psychology was to:

a. solve the mind-body problem
b. predict and control behavior
c. discover the elements of thought
d. show that humans & nonhuman animals are essentially the same.

3. In their research on Albert, Watson and Raynor found that in addition to becoming fearful of the rat, Albert became fearful of other furry objects. Albert's fear of objects other than thee rat demonstrated:

a. discrimination
b. disinhibition
c. generalization
d. spontaneous recovery

4. With their research on the infant named Albert, Watson and Raynor demonstrated that:

a. emotions could be displaced to a stimulus other than the one that had originally elicited the emotions
b. bodily structure interacts with experience to produce personality
c. there are important individual differences among people
d. intelligence is only partially genetically determined.

5. The neobehaviorists believe all of the following except:

a. research on nonhumans could provide useful information about humans
b. all theoretical terms had to be defined operationally
c. the learning process was of prime importance and therefore should be studied intensely
d. to employ theoretical terms was to bring metaphysical speculation back into psychology

6. Tolman believed that:

a. learning occurred independently of reinforcement
b. if no reinforcement occurred, no learning occurred
c. reinforcement governed classical conditioning but not instrumental conditioning
d. reinforcement governed instrumental conditioning but not classical conditioning

7. According to Hull, for learning to take place, a response must be followed by:

a. confirmation
b. a satisfying state of affairs
c. drive-reduction
d. a wave of electrical activity through the frontal lobe of the cortex

8. According to Skinner, the most important aspect of operant behavior was that it:

a. was elicited by a known stimulus
b. could be explained by Pavlovian principles
c. was controlled by its consequences
d. produced a satisfying state of affairs.

9. For Skinner, the environment was important because it:

a. elicited behavior
b. selected behavior
c. provided the organism with the opportunity to test its expectancies
d. allowed the organism to develop a cognitive map

10. According to Skinner, punishment is widely used in efforts to modify behavior because it:

a. is the most effective method available
b. is reinforcing to the punisher
c. weakens undesirable behavior just as reinforcement strengthens desirable behavior
d. has the advantage of increasing stress tolerance in those who are punished

Graded Assignment (25% of final letter grade): Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the behaviorisms of John B. Watson, Edward C. Tolman, Clark L. Hull, and B. F. Skinner. In discussing Skiiner, include the readings from Walden Twoand Beyoned Freedom and Dignit. Document using APA reference style.