Neobehaviorism (1930-1960)

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Neobehaviorism (1930-1960)

• Study of learning at core
• Need to adopt operationism
• Stimulus-response theory (Skinner, Guthrie)
• Stimulus-response vs. stimulus-stimulus theories
  (Hull, Tolman)
• Social learning theories (Bandura, Rotter)

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B. F. Skinners Behaviorism

• His take on theory
• Study responses
• Describenot explain
• observable behavior! (empty
• organism approach
• Establish functional relationships S-R
• Single-subject designs

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Operant Conditioning Chamber
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The paradigm Operant Conditioning

• Operant conditioning chamber
• Response rate
• Behavior of Organisms (1938) a paradigm shift
  (per Kuhn)

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The Procedure

• Discriminative ? response (bar press)
• stimulus
• (SD)
• (LIGHT) V
• reinforcing
• stimulus
• (SR)
• (FOOD)

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Schedules of Reinforcement

• Serendipitous discovery
• intermittent reinforcement
• maintained response
• Continuous vs. partial
• Ratio (frequency) vs. interval (elapsed time)
• Best schedule for acquisition

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Schedules of Reinforcement
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Other Skinner Concepts

• Shapingbehavioral control
• Skinners Utopia Walden Two (1948)
• Applied research
• Baby Tender
• Teaching machines
• Behavior Modification
• Token economies
• War efforts

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