PRELIM PROJECT

IN
INTRODUCTION
TO LINGUISTICS

Salonga, Gerald S.
BSED-English 1

September 30, 2023

 Behaviorist Theory: Description, Examples, and Importance

Behaviorism, commonly referred to as the behaviorist hypothesis, is a psychology

viewpoint that emphasizes observable behaviors and outside variables that affect people's
behavior. According to this view, conditioning and prior experiences are the root causes of all
human behavior. The behaviorist viewpoint will be thoroughly discussed, examples will be
given, and its significance in comprehending human behavior will be discussed. A number of
well-known psychologists, including John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. Behavior, according to
behaviorism, is a response to environmental cues, and it can be studied and predicted by looking
at the correlation between cues and responses. According to behaviorists, internal mental
processes like thoughts and emotions are not required to comprehend behavior.
Behaviorists emphasize the role of learning through conditioning. There are two main
types of conditioning: Classical conditioning involves the association of a neutral stimulus with a
naturally occurring stimulus to elicit a response. One famous example of classical conditioning is
Pavlov's experiment with dogs. Pavlov paired the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) with the
presentation of food (naturally occurring stimulus), which caused the dogs to salivate (response).
Eventually, the sound of the bell alone caused the dogs to salivate, illustrating the conditioned
response. The other one is the operant conditioning focuses on the relationship between behavior
and its consequences. Behavior that is reinforced tends to be repeated, while behavior that is
punished or not reinforced tends to diminish. B.F. Skinner's work on operant conditioning
demonstrated this concept. Skinner used a device called a Skinner box to study the behavior of
rats and pigeons. For example, when a rat presses a lever and receives a food pellet (positive
reinforcement), it is more likely to continue pressing the lever in the future.
In a classroom setting, behaviorism can help teachers understand and modify student
behavior. For example, positive reinforcement, such as praise or rewards, can be used to
encourage desired behaviors like completing assignments on time. Conversely, negative
consequences, such as loss of privileges, can discourage disruptive behavior. Behaviorist
principles are often applied in animal training. For instance, trainers use rewards, such as treats
or praise, to reinforce desired behaviors in dogs or dolphins. By doing so, the animals learn to
associate those behaviors with positive outcomes, increasing the likelihood of consistent
performance.
Behaviorism allows researchers and psychologists to predict and control behavior by
understanding the relationship between stimuli and responses. By identifying the factors that
influence behavior, behaviorists can design interventions to modify or shape behavior in various
settings, such as education, therapy, and organizational management. The behaviorist theory has
practical applications in various fields, including education, therapy, and behavioral
management. By understanding the principles of behaviorism, educators can design effective
teaching strategies that promote learning. In therapy, behaviorism techniques, such as systematic
desensitization, are used to treat phobias and other anxiety disorders. Behaviorism emphasizes
the importance of observable behavior, making it an objective and empirical approach to
studying human behavior. By focusing on observable behaviors, behaviorists aim to establish a
scientific foundation for psychology, free from subjective interpretations and introspection.
In conclusion, behaviorism is a psychological theory that emphasizes observable
behaviors and the influence of external factors on human behavior. Through classical and
operant conditioning, behaviorists explain how behaviors are learned and modified. The theory's
importance lies in its ability to predict and control behavior, its practical applications in various
fields, and its objective and empirical approach to studying human behavior.
References:
Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. Simon and Schuster.
Pavlov, I. P. (1927). Conditioned Reflexes: An Investigation of the Physiological Activity of the
Cerebral Cortex. Oxford University Press.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/language.html