Behavioral psychology
Behavioral Psychology
Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism (pronounced: be-hay-vyor-ism), is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. The term was coined by John B. Watson in the early 20th century.
Etymology
The term "behavioral psychology" is derived from the word "behavior," which originates from the Middle English word "behavour," meaning "conduct, demeanor, behavior," and the suffix "-al," which is used to form adjectives from nouns or from other adjectives. The term "psychology" comes from the Greek words "psyche," meaning "soul," and "-logia," meaning "study of."
Definition
Behavioral psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of observable behaviors, particularly as they pertain to the process of learning. It disregards any mentalist concepts like consciousness, focusing instead on observable behavior.
Principles
Behavioral psychology is based on several key principles:
- Classical Conditioning: This principle, first proposed by Ivan Pavlov, suggests that behavior can be learned through association with certain stimuli.
- Operant Conditioning: This principle, proposed by B.F. Skinner, suggests that behavior can be learned through rewards and punishments.
- Social Learning Theory: This principle, proposed by Albert Bandura, suggests that behavior can be learned through observation and imitation of others.
Related Terms
- Cognitive Psychology: This branch of psychology focuses on mental processes such as "knowing," which includes aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgment.
- Psychoanalysis: This is a set of theories and therapeutic techniques related to the study of the unconscious mind, which together form a method of treatment for mental-health disorders.
- Humanistic Psychology: This is a perspective that emphasizes looking at the whole individual and stresses concepts such as free will, self-efficacy, and self-actualization.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Behavioral psychology
- Wikipedia's article - Behavioral psychology
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