Download Is astrology or palm reading a science?

Is astrology a science?
Behaviorism
 Arose
out of an attempt to make
psychology a science.
 Focuses on what is observable and
measurable -- namely, behavior.
 Offers insights into why we do what we
do.
Why do they act like that?
Classical Conditioning
 A useful
principle of learning for
understanding how reflexive (i.e.,
automatic, unreflective) learning occurs.
 But not so useful for understanding
intentional learning or complex learning.
Pavlov's Experiments (1)
Pavlov's Experiments (2)
Pavlov's Experiments (3)
What are some examples of Classical
Conditioning in education?
UCS
Meat
Salivate
CS
Bell
UCR
CR
Salivate
Dealing with classically
conditioned behaviors
 How
could you understand test anxiety
in terms of classical conditioning?
 How could you change the conditioning
pattern?
Operant Conditioning
 A useful
principle of learning for
understanding observable, behavioral
forms of learning.
 But not so useful for understanding
such things a complex, mental
processes.
Operant Conditioning
 Operant
conditioning is basic common
sense:
 If
a behavior is reinforced (i.e., rewarded in
some way), it is more likely to be repeated
(its occurrence will increase).
 If a behavior is punished in some way, it is
less likely to be repeated (its occurrence
will decrease).
 The
problem is, we always mess up by
reinforcing behaviors we DON’T want
and punishing behaviors we DO want.
Conditions needed for
Operant Conditioning
 Individual
must make a response.
 Reinforcer must follow the response.
 Reinforcer must be contingent on the
response.
Types of Reinforcement
Desirable
Add
Positive
something Reinforcement
(behavior increases)
Undesirable
Presentation
Punishment
(behavior decreases)
Remove
Removal Punishment Negative
something (behavior decreases) Reinforcement
(behavior increases)
Operant Conditioning at Work!
Eliminating unwanted
behavior
 Extinction
 Stop
rewarding the behavior!
 Reinforce
 Ex.
an incompatible behavior
To eliminate speaking out of turn,
reinforce hand raising.
Shaping
 Reinforce
a series of behaviors that
increasingly resemble the terminal
(desired) behavior.
Distinguishing between the 2
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning
Stimulus
precedes
response.
Involuntary
Response
precedes
stimulus.
Voluntary (sort of)
Both can be taking place at the same time.
Critique of Behaviorism

What are the strengths/weaknesses of this
perspective?
 What happens when rewards stop?
 Is it problematic that other people and the
environment are seen as the cause of
behavior?
 Do humans operate according to natural laws
in the same way that physical world operates
according to natural laws (e.g., laws of
physics)?