Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a discipline that explains how behavior takes place as a process of conditioning, initiated by various factors (i.e. stimuli, reflex, reward, punishment, environment, social experiences). http://malikabruno.com/home/

1. BEHAVIORAL
PSYCHOLOGY
Malika A. Bruno
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

2. Introduction
 Behaviorism is defined as, “the study of learning based on directly observable
behavior” (Carter & Seifert, 2013, p. 187). According to this concept, human behavior
can be explained. Key figures of behaviorism have dedicated their studies to explaining
both animal and human behavior, with regard to internal and external influences.
 Additionally, learning is a process of “lasting change in knowledge or behavior based
on experience” (Carter & Seifert, 2013, p. 186); however, conditioning is demonstrated
by training animal and/or human behavior (Carter & Seifert, 2013). The most well-
known behavioral approaches are classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and
observational learning [as see in the social-cognitive learning theory] (Carter & Seifert,
2013). Importantly, motivation is connected to human behavior (Carter & Seifert, 2013)
[illustrated later in this presentation].

3. Classical Conditioning
 Learning is a process of experience
 Learning is a process of instinct and reflex
 Stimulus and response happens naturally
 Images and events elicit emotional response
(Carter & Seifert, 2013)
Image 1. Pavlov’s dog (Kengelhardt, 2012)

4. Ivan P. Pavlov & John B. Watson
 Ivan P. Pavlov (1849-1936)
– Russian psychologist and Nobel Prize winner
– Pavlov’s Dogs Experiment
– Coined the phenomenon psychic secretions
 John B. Watson (1878-1958)
– American psychologist
– Believed in the role of instinct, reflex, and the
environment
– Little Albert Experiment
(Carter & Seifert, 2013; Schwartz, Wasserman, &
Robbins, 2002) Image 2. Pavlov & Watson (Kandalyup3r, n.d.).

5. Operant Conditioning
 Behavior is rewarded with consequence
 Behavior is repeated when outcomes are favorable
 Operant conditioning is based on reward and
punishment
 Reinforcement strengthens behavior
 Behavior can be unlearned
 Extinction refers to the unlearning of behavior
(Carter & Seifert, 2013)
Image 3. Skinner box (McLeod, 2014).

6. Edward L. Thorndike & B.F. Skinner
 Edward L. Thorndike (1874-1949)
– Law of Effect (1898)
– Behavior is motivated by positive reinforcement
– Behavior does not begin as an inborn reflex but of random
trial & error
– Interest in animal intelligence lead to developments in
operant conditioning
 B. F. Skinner (1904-1991)
– Individuals learn as a result of consequence (operant
conditioning)
– Conducted experiments using the Skinner Box
– Used conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus to
induced behavior
– Skinner coined the term reinforcement learning
(Carter & Seifert, 2013; Schwartz et al., 2002)
Image 4. Thorndike & Skinner (Kandalyup3r,
n.d.).

7. Observational Learning
 Learning equals modeling and imitation
 Attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation
 Muscle movement and prior experience not needed
 Learning is a social-cognitive process
 Individuals observe (learn from) family and culture
(Carter & Seifert, 2013)
Image 5. Observation (Wise Geek, n.d.).

8. Albert Bandura
 Canadian psychologist
 Conducted experiments in observational learning
 Coined the social-cognitive learning theory
 Developed the Bobo doll experiment
 Believed that aggression can be learned through modeling
 Used 72 children in a social experiment to study aggression
(McLeod, 2014)
Image 6. Bandura (APS,
n.d.)

9. Motivation
 Motivation energizes fulfillment and goals
 Theories of motivation:
– Instinct theory
– Evolutionary theory
– Drive theory
– Arousal theory
– Incentive theory
– Hierarchical theory
 Question: Does/how does motivation align with behavioral approach?
(Carter & Seifert, 2013)
Image 7. Hierarchy of needs. (Redmond,
2016)

10. Ethics
 American Psychological Association (APA) (1892)
 APA governs: mental health professionals, their research,
conduct, and protects participants
 Ethics is relevant to the study of behaviorism
 APA serves the integrity and ethical practice related to the field
(APA, 2016)
Image 8. Ethics (Subliminal
Hacking, n.d.).

11. Summary
■ Conditioning is as a result of training or learned behavior through the acquisition of
new knowledge (Carter & Seifert, 2013). The process of classical conditioning
illustrates learning as a result of experience. Additionally, operant conditioning is
demonstrated when learning is from the environment, thus motivated by reward or
consequence (Carter & Seifert, 2013). In contrast, observational learning does not
require muscle movement or prior experience and demonstrates learning as a cognitive
process of modeling and imitation (Carter & Seifert, 2013).
■ As a result, developments to behavioral psychology include: origins of phobias, side-
effects of chemotherapy, treatment for alcoholism, drug abuse and many more clinical
diagnosis (Carter & Seifert, 2013). As researchers expand upon how and why certain
behaviors are motivated, mental health professionals use many of the approaches
presented to promote psychological wellness.

12. References
 APA. (2016). Ethical principles of psychologist and code of conduct. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/
 APS. (n.d.). Albert Bandura to receive National Medal of Science [Image 6]. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/albert-bandura-to-receive-national-medal-of-science
 Carter, K., & Seifert, C. M. (2013). Learn psychology. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
 Cherry, K. (2017, June 12). John B. Watson- pioneering psychologist biography. Retrieved from
https://www.verywell.com/john-b-watson-biography-1878-1958-2795550
 Kandalyup3r. (2015, Febrauary 21). Conductismo [Image 2 & 4]. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/kandylaup3r/conductismo-44972371/5
 Kengelhardt. (2012, April 15). Classical conditioning [Image 1]. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/Kengelhardt/classical-conditioning-12552587
 McLeod. S. (2014). Bobo doll experiment. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html
 McLeod. S. (2014). Skinner operant conditioning [Image 3]. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-
conditioning.html
 Redmond. B. F. (2016, September 6). Need theories [Image 7]. Retrieved from
https://wikispaces.psu.edu/display/PSYCH484/2.+Need+Theories
 Schwartz, B., Wasserman, E. A., & Robbins, S. J. (2002). Psychology of learning and behavior (5th ed.). New York, NY: W.
W. Norton & Company.
 Subliminal Hacking. (n.d.). Social engineering is it ethical [Image 8]? Retrieved from
http://www.subliminalhacking.net/2010/08/05/social-engineering-is-it-ethical/
 Wise Geek. (n.d.). What is observational learning [Image 5]? Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-
observational-learning.htm