KEY ASSUMPTIONS

• All behaviour is learnt:

  • Learn new behaviour through classical / operant conditioning (learning theory)
  • When born- mind is “tabula rasa” (a blank state)
• Use of animal studies:

  • Behaviour of animals is similar to that of humans
  • No fundamental qualitative distinction between human and animal behaviour
  • Rats, cats, dogs and pigeons- primary source of data
• Behaviour should be scientifically studied:

  • Use of operational definitions
  • Studying behaviour that can be OBSERVED & MEASURED
  • Not concerned with mental processes 
  • Use of labs
• Behaviour- stimulus -> response

  • All behaviour (no matter how complex) can be reduced to a simple stimulus -> response association