PS271 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Biofeedback, Heredity, Tachycardia
Document Summary
B watson argued that for psychology to be a science then they needed to stop examining mental states: just focus on the observable subject matter. Overt behaviour- that which can be observed, predicted, and eventually controlled by scientists. Edward thorndike found that animals were less likely to repeat behaviors that met with negative consequences than were animals given no punishment. Skinner described happiness as a by-product of operant reinforcement : he argued that it is time we moved beyond the illusion of personal freedom and the so-called dignity we award ourselves for our actions. Begins with an existing stimulus-response (s-r) association: some people cringe (response) whenever they see a spider (stimulus) Law of effect: that behaviours are more likely to be repeated if they lead to satisfying consequences and less likely to be repeated if they lead to unsatisfying consequences. Positive reinforcement increases behaviour give reward following behaviour. Negative reinforcement increase behaviour- remove aversive stimulus following behaviour.
