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Behaviorism and Yoga:
Tools and Principles for Generating Enduring Change
Christopher McCooey
December 10, 2014
I.
Terms:
A.
B.
C.
D.
II.
(Positive/Negative) Reinforcement
(Positive/Negative) Punishment
Environment
Aberrant behavior
Yoga Review
A.
Raja Yoga
1.
2.
Ashtanga
Locks and Keys
B.
Hatha
C.
Jnana
D.
Karma
E.
Japa
F.
Bhakti
G.
All provide a framework for living, structure to our days that establishes
boundaries for actions (Acceptable vs. Unacceptable; Successful vs. Unsuccessful),
setting expectations for ourselves and others, ultimately limiting our freedom to
act.
III. “Psychology as the behaviorist views it is a purely objective
experimental branch of natural science. Its theoretical goal is the
prediction and control of behavior. Introspection forms no essential part
of its methods, nor is the scientific value of its data dependent upon the
readiness with which they lend themselves to interpretation in terms of
consciousness. The behaviorist, in his efforts to get a unitary scheme of
animal response, recognizes no dividing line between man and brute.
The behavior of man, with all of its refinement and complexity, forms
only a part of the behaviorist's total scheme of investigation.” Watson,
1913
IV.
John Watson & Classical Conditioning
A.
B.
Classical conditioning was able to explain all aspects of human psychology
All behavior is learnt from the environment
C.
D.
Completely denies existence of the mind or consciousness
Major Experiments:
1.
2.
E.
Theory:
1.
2.
V.
Ivan Pavlov’s dogs (1902)
Watson and Rayner (1920) Little Albert
All behavior is the result of a relationship between stimulus and response
New behavior is acquired by associating two stimuli
Classical Conditioning
A.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) results in an Unconditioned Response (UCR)
B.
A neutral stimulus—generating no specific response—may be associated
with the UCS
C.
Through this association, the neutral stimulus becomes a Conditioned
Stimulus (CS) and its presence will result in a Conditioned Response (CR)
VI.
B.F. Skinner & Operant Behavior
A.
B.
C.
Radical Behaviorism
Freedom is terrifying and illusory
Best way to study behavior: look at causes and consequences of actions
1.
2.
D.
E.
ABC’s of Behavior
Based on Thorndike’s work
Positive/Negative Reinforcement/Punishment
Gives basis for:
1.
2.
Behavior Modification therapies and techniques
Token Society
VII. The ABC’s of Behaviorism
A.
All events may be reduced to and understood by its:
1.
2.
3.
Antecedent
Behavior
Consequence
B.
Environment typically affects behavior through the presentation of
antecedents and consequences
1.
2.
3.
Antecedent manipulation
Reinforcement
Punishment
4.
Non-Contingent Reinforcement
VIII. Antecedent Manipulation: “An ounce of prevention…”
A.
B.
Changing the environment to influence behavior
Examples:
1.
2.
3.
IX.
Removing a distraction before class
Shmat
Bathroom, snack, water before class
Reinforcement vs. Punishment
A.
Reinforcement
1.
2.
Names a relation between behavior and environment
Includes at least three components:
a)
b)
c)
3.
4.
5.
B.
Summary: reinforcement always increases a behavior
Examples:
a)
Giving a special task
b)
Attention
It is not bribery or coercion
Punishment
1.
2.
Names a relation between behavior and environment
Includes at least three components:
a)
b)
c)
3.
4.
5.
Behaviors must have consequences
Probability of behavior must decrease
Decrease must occur because they have those consequences
Summary: punishment always decreases a behavior
Examples:
a)
b)
X.
Behaviors must have consequences
Probability of behavior must increase
Increase must occur because they have those consequences
Time out
Extra homework
It is not threatening
Those don’t mean what you think they mean…
A.
Positive
1.
2.
Adding a stimulus as a means of reinforcement or punishment
Examples:
a)
A child is given a desirable treat when he or she completes his or her
homework
b)
Getting a speeding ticket
B.
Negative
1.
2.
3.
4.
XI.
Removal of a stimulus as a means of reinforcement or punishment
Examples:
Stopping a game when children misbehave
Doing a child’s homework for him or her
Non-Contingent Reinforcement
A.
Non-Contingent Reinforcement (NCR) is the presentation of a reinforcer
regardless of circumstances (current activities, behaviors, etc.)
B.
Reinforcers lose potency as satiation is reached; similarly, they gain potency
as starvation is reach
C.
Desire to obtain reinforcers may result in exhibition of aberrant behavior
D.
If reinforcer is offered in response to aberrant behavior, it becomes more
like a bribe
E.
NCR can help to curb aberrant behavior in relation to an otherwise useful
reinforcer by maintaining adequate levels of starvation and satiation
XII.
Most Common Motivations for Aberrant Behavior?
A.
B.
C.
Attention Seeking
Task Avoidance
Access to Desired Objects
XIII. My Most Potent Tactics Addressing Aberrant Behavior?
A.
Ignore
1.
2.
3.
B.
Unless the behavior presents:
a)
b)
c)
A danger to the child
A danger to other children
A danger to myself
d)
A danger to the space
In which case you MUST intervene
Intervene with dispassion
Consistency
1.
Follow the Outline
2.
Reinforce desired behavior; punish/ignore aberrant behavior
XIV. Locks and the Keys
A.
B.
Help maintain our own inner peace
Have a behavioral basis and application!
1.
If we are Friendly toward someone exhibiting Happy behavior, how will
they be inclined to act in the future?
2.
If we are Compassionate and caring toward those who are suffering, how
will it affect their behavior?
3.
If we Delight in the Virtuous deeds of another, how is that likely to affect
their future actions? More importantly, how will it affect our own?
4.
If we Disregard the Wicked actions of someone else, what will result?
XV. Common Problems and Critiques of the Approach
A.
Problems
1.
2.
3.
B.
Time constraints
Other people: kids, parents, teachers
Space restrictions
Critiques:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cold/Insensitive/Emotionless/Inhumane
Denies Freedom and Free Will
“Dangerous”
“Doesn’t work.”
XVI. Examples
A.
Restlessness
1.
2.
B.
C.
D.
Rude Responses - Ignore
Noncompliance
Disruptive behavior
1.
2.
E.
Ignore
Non-contingent Reinforcement
Ignore
Offer activity
Aggressive behavior
1.
2.
Ignore
Block
XVII. Further Reading:
A.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html
B.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/behaviorism.html
C.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html
D.
http://www.bfskinner.org/behavioral-science/definition/
E.
http://us7.campaignarchive2.com/?u=a8106fde0f1fb07a6be2f4378&id=f7a0d9a6a0
F.
Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis. Edited by Fisher, Piazza, and Roane
G.
About Behaviorism. B.F. Skinner