Developmental Psychology from Various Perspectives-Behavioral Perspective

Summary

The script delves into the behavioral perspective of developmental psychology, highlighting how rewards and punishments shape behavior through stimulus-response relationships. Key concepts like operant conditioning, Thorndike's law of effect, and Pavlov's classical conditioning are discussed, illustrating how these principles apply to human development across the lifespan. The script also touches on intrinsic motivation and its role in behavior, suggesting a shift from material rewards to personal fulfillment as we age.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The behavioral perspective in developmental psychology focuses on the stimulus-response relationship and how behaviors are modified due to their consequences.
• 🎈 Key to behavioral perspective is the idea that behaviors are shaped by environmental influences and the outcomes of those behaviors.
• 🔑 There are four main assumptions of the behavioral perspective: environment influences behavior, learning is described through observable stimuli and responses, learning is time-sensitive, and animals and humans learn in similar ways.
• 👨‍🔬 B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning is a significant theory under this perspective, emphasizing the role of consequences in modifying behavior.
• 🐀 Skinner's box experiment demonstrated that animals' behaviors can be influenced by positive and negative reinforcements, leading to an increase or decrease in behavior frequency.
• 🐱 Thorndike's research with cats in puzzle boxes led to the Law of Effect, which states that behaviors followed by rewards are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by punishments are less likely.
• 🐕 Pavlov's classical conditioning experiment with dogs showed how new involuntary responses can be learned through the association of stimuli.
• 👶 Watson's Little Albert experiment illustrated how emotions can be conditioned through the transfer from one object or event to another.
• 🧠 Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory introduced the concept of intrinsic motivation, suggesting that individuals are motivated by rewards that come from within, such as self-acceptance.
• 🌟 As individuals develop and age, the types of reinforcements that influence their behaviors shift from material rewards to more intrinsic values like peace of mind and mental health.

Q & A

What is the behavioral perspective in developmental psychology?

The behavioral perspective in developmental psychology focuses on the stimulus-response relationship and how our behavior is modified due to the consequences of that behavior. It emphasizes observable events and the influence of the environment on behavior.

How does the environment influence behavior according to the behavioral perspective?

According to the behavioral perspective, the environment influences behavior as it is a result of our interaction with it. For example, being stuck in traffic can lead to various behavioral responses such as patience or irritation.

What are the four assumptions of the behavioral perspective?

The four assumptions of the behavioral perspective are: 1) Environment influences behavior, 2) Learning is described through stimuli and responses, 3) Learning must result when stimulus and response occur close together in time, and 4) Animals and humans learn in similar ways.

What is operant conditioning and how is it related to the behavioral perspective?

Operant conditioning is a theory by B.F. Skinner that deals with reinforcement and the strengthening of behaviors. It is related to the behavioral perspective as it demonstrates how consequences for behavior play a large role in an individual's response and subsequent behavior.

What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?

Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by adding a reward after the behavior occurs, while negative reinforcement strengthens a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus. Both aim to increase the likelihood of a behavior happening again.

Can you explain the Law of Effect as described by Thorndike?

The Law of Effect, as described by Thorndike, states that if a particular behavior is followed by a desirable consequence or reward, that behavior is more likely to happen again. Conversely, if a behavior is followed by an undesirable consequence or punishment, it is less likely to occur in the future.

What is classical conditioning and how did Pavlov demonstrate it?

Classical conditioning is a form of learning where a new involuntary response is acquired as a result of stimuli being presented at the same time. Pavlov demonstrated this by conditioning dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell, which was initially neutral but became associated with food.

Who was Little Albert and what was the significance of the experiment involving him?

Little Albert was a baby who was the subject of an experiment by Watson. The significance of the experiment was that it demonstrated how emotions could be transferred from an object or event to another person under the right circumstances, showing the power of classical conditioning.

What is the Premack Principle and how does it relate to intrinsic motivation?

The Premack Principle, introduced by David Premack, suggests that more probable behaviors can be used as reinforcement for less probable behaviors. It relates to intrinsic motivation as it deals with the internal rewards that drive behavior, such as self-acceptance or self-care.

How do the behavioral theories and researches apply to our development across the lifespan?

Behavioral theories and researches apply to our development by showing how our responses to environmental stimuli change as we age. As we grow older, we may still be influenced by the same stimuli, but our responses may be more nuanced and influenced by a deeper understanding of intrinsic rewards and motivations.