social learning theory

• Who are often considered the first truly scientific psychologists?

  The behaviorists
• Why do behaviorists focus on observable phenomena?

  Because they can only study what can be observed objectively
• What is the relationship between stimulus and response in behaviorism?

  A stimulus leads to a response from the creature
• What is a significant limitation of the behaviorist approach?

  It ignores internal mental processes
• What are the three features of the Psych Boost app?

  Flashcards, multiple choice quizzes, and key term tester
• What are the defining features of the behaviorist approach?

  • Focus on observable behavior
  • Study of stimulus-response mechanisms
  • Belief that behavior is learned through interaction with the environment
• What is classical conditioning also known as?

  Learning by association
• Who developed the theory of classical conditioning?

  Ivan Pavlov
• How does classical conditioning explain the development of a phobia of bees?

  A bee becomes a conditioned stimulus after being paired with the pain of a sting
• What is operant conditioning?

  Learning through the consequences of voluntary behavior
• What is positive reinforcement?

  The addition of a pleasant stimulus to increase behavior
• How did Skinner demonstrate operant conditioning with rats?

  By using a Skinner box where rats learned to press a lever for food
• What is the difference between positive and negative punishment?

  Positive punishment adds an unpleasant stimulus, while negative punishment removes a pleasant stimulus
• What is extinction in the context of operant conditioning?

  It is the process where behavior stops when reinforcement ceases
• What is behavior shaping?

  A process of reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior
• What is a key difference between classical and operant conditioning?

  Classical conditioning involves involuntary responses, while operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviors
• How does classical conditioning explain the acquisition of a phobia?

  It shows how a neutral stimulus can become associated with a fear response
• What are the strengths of the behaviorist approach?

  • Focus on objective measurement
  • Ability to demonstrate cause and effect relationships
  • High replicability of research methods
• Why do behaviorists often use animal participants in their research?

  To fully control the environment and conduct experiments not possible with humans
• What is a limitation of generalizing behaviorist findings to humans?

  Humans have more complex social lives and cultural influences
• What are some real-life applications of behaviorism?

  • Counter conditioning treatments
  • Token economies in prisons
  • Classroom management techniques
• What are ethical concerns regarding behaviorism?

  It can be seen as manipulative and may lead to harmful compulsive behaviors
• What is a criticism of behaviorism regarding its reductionist approach?

  It oversimplifies complex human behaviors into stimulus-response links
• What alternative explanations for behavior does behaviorism ignore?

  Social learning, the unconscious mind, and biological influences
• What are the weaknesses of the behaviorist approach?

  • Overly reductionist
  • Ethical concerns in controlling behavior
  • Limited understanding of complex human behaviors