Pavlov, Thorndike, Watson, and Skinner

What is Behaviorism?
Behaviorism is primarily concerned with observable and
measurable aspects of human behavior. In defining
behavior, behaviorist learning theories emphasize
changes in behavior that result from stimulus-response
associations made by the learner. Behavior is directed by
stimuli.
The Advocates of Behaviorism
Ivan Pavlov
A Russian physiologist well known for his
work in classical conditioning or stimulus
substitution.

Classical conditioning A process of behavior
modification by which a subject comes to
respond in a desired manner to a previously
neutral stimulus that has been repeatedly
presented along with an unconditioned
stimulus that elicits the desired response.
Pavlovs Experiment
Pavlovs other findings
Stimulus Generalization
Extinction
Spontaneous Recovery
Discrimination
Higher-order conditioning
Edward L. Thorndike
Thorndikes Connectionism theory
gave us the original stimulus-response
framework of behavioral psychology.
His theory on connectionism stated
that learning has taken place when a
strong connection or bond between
stimulus and response is formed. He
came up with three primary laws
known as Laws of Learning which are:
Law of Effect
The response is strengthened when the consequence is
positive.
The response is weakened when the consequence is
negative.
An action which brings a feeling of enjoyment is more
effectively learnt.
But action which brings a feeling of annoyance is not
properly learned.
Law of Exercise
Practice makes perfect.
Practice Stronger
This principle states that the S-R connection is
strengthened by use and weakened with disuse.
Things most often repeated are best remembered.

The drill or practice helps in increasing efficiency and
durability of learning.
Law of Readiness
The readiness of the learner to respond affects the
strength of the bond.
If the child is ready to learn, he can learn quickly.
If a child is not ready to learn, he cannot learn
effectively.
Principles Derived from
Thorndikes Connectionism
Learning requires both practice and rewards (laws of
effect /exercise)
A series of S-R connections can be chained together if
they belong to the same action sequence (law of
readiness).
Transfer of learning occurs because of previously
encountered situations.
Intelligence is a function of the number of connections
learned.
An American psychologist who
established the psychological school
of behaviorism.
Watsons experiment on Albert.
John Broadus Watson
Burrhus Frederick Skinner
An American psychologist, behaviorist,
author, inventor, and social philosopher.
He is the Father of Operant
Conditioning.
Operant Conditioning is a method of
learning that occurs through rewards and
punishments for behavior. Through these
rewards and punishments, an association
is made between a behavior and a
consequence for that behavior.
Reinforcement is a term used in operant conditioning to
refer to anything which strengthens or increases the
probability of a specific response.
Reinforcer a stimulus that strengthens the desired response
Two types of reinforcer:
1. Positive any stimulus that is given or added to increase
response
2. Negative any stimulus that results in the increased
frequency of a response when its withdrawn or removed
Punishment is a consequence intended to result in reduced
responses.
Extinction or non-reinforcement responses that are not
reinforced or rewarded are not likely to be repeated.

Shaping of Behavior is an experimental process used in
operant conditioning by which successive approximations
of a target behavior are reinforced/rewarded.
Behavioral Chaining involves reinforcing individual
responses occurring in a sequence to form a complex
behavior.
Reinforcement schedules - the precise rules that are used
to present reinforcers following a specified operant
behavior. These rules are defined in terms of the time
and/or the number of responses required in order to
present a reinforcer. Skinners refer it as Partial
reinforcement schedules.

These are:
Fixed Ratio Schedules
Fixed Interval Schedules
Variable Ratio Schedules
Variable Interval Schedules