Notes: Behaviourism

Behaviourism is best described as an approach whereby all behaviour can be both studied and explained in a scientific manner without reference to the internal mental states that may exist within an individual being.

“Behaviourism, the doctrine, is committed in its fullest and most complete sense to the truth of the following three sets of claims.

1. Psychology is the science of behaviour. Psychology is not the science of mind.
2. Behaviour can be described and explained without making reference to mental events or to internal psychological processes. The sources of behaviour are external (in the environment), not internal (in the mind).
3. In the course of theory development in psychology, if, somehow, mental terms or concepts are deployed in describing or explaining behaviour, then either (a) these terms or concepts should be eliminated and replaced by behavioural terms or (b) they can and should be translated or paraphrased into behavioural concepts.

The three sets of claims are logically distinct. Moreover, taken independently, each helps to form a type of behaviourism. “Methodological” behaviourism is committed to the truth of (1). “Psychological” behaviourism is committed to the truth of (2). “Analytical” behaviourism (also known as “philosophical” or “logical” behaviourism) is committed to the truth of the sub-statement in (3) that mental terms or concepts can and should be translated into behavioural concepts.
Based on observable changes in behaviour. Behaviourism focuses on a new behavioural pattern being repeated until it becomes automatic.”
(Graham, Fall 2005 Edition)

Stimulus – response pattern
Pavlov, Thorndike (connectionism – learning the formation of connection between stimulus and response), Watson (rat boy!), Skinner (operant conditioning – stimulus in environment rather than reflexive. Concept of reinforcement schedules)