Term
|
Definition
-
Psychologists should be concerned with determining the conditions under which human behavior occurs
-
By discovering these conditions, psychologists can predict and control human behavior
|
|
|
Term
| Characteristics of Science |
|
Definition
- its findings are cumulative,
- it rests on an attitude that values empirical observation, and
- it searches for order and reliable relationships.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
-
Positive reinforcement (add something good, like a treat)
-
Negative reinforcement(takes away something negative)
-
Punishment (Decreases behaviour by adding bad stimuli or removing good stimuli)
-
The effects of punishment are much less predictable than those of reward.
-
Punishmentand reinforcement can result from either natural consequences or from human imposition.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
-
fixed-ratio (i.e. every fifth time you do behaviour, get reinforced)
-
variable-ratio (reinforced at random instance of doing behaviour, like a slot machine)
-
fixed-interval (reinforced on a time schedule, like a paycheck or mailman)
-
variable interval (reinforced after a lapse of time, but it varies)
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
-
As a species, our behavior is shaped by the contingencies of survival
-
Behaviors that have been beneficial to the species throughout history are the ones that survive (ex. Sex and aggression, crying, overeating was beneficial but now it’s bad)
-
Societies that evolved certain cultural practices (e.g. tool making and language) tended to survive
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
-
Creativity -the result of random or accidental behaviors that happen to be rewarded
-
Most of our behavior is unconscious or automatic
-
Not thinking about certain experiences is reinforcing – suppress or repress certain thoughts
-
Dreams - covert and symbolic forms of behavior that are subject to the same contingencies of reinforcement as any other behavior
-
Social behavior – forming groups has been rewarding in the past (protection)
|
|
|
Term
| Social Control of Human Behaviour |
|
Definition
-
Groups then exercise control over members by laws, rules
-
There are four basic methods of social control:
-
-
(2) describing contingencies – describing consequences of bad behaviour
-
(3) deprivation and satiation – taking and giving
-
(4) physical restraint – prison/jail
|
|
|
Term
| Self Control of Human Behaviour |
|
Definition
- physical aids, such as tools
- changing environmental stimuli
- arranging the environment to allow escape from aversive stimuli
- drugs
- doing something else
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
•Procedure in which the experimenter or the environment first rewards gross approximations of behavior, then closer, then finally the desired behavior itself |
|
|
