Early Behaviorism

Definition

Early Behaviorism is a theory suggesting that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. It proposes that our responses to environmental stimuli shape our actions.

Analogy

Early Behaviorism is like a coach training an athlete. The coach provides specific stimuli (like drills or exercises), and the athlete's performance improves based on their response to these stimuli.

Related terms

Classical Conditioning: A learning process in which two stimuli become associated with each other; when an originally neutral stimulus is conditioned to elicit an involuntary response.

Operant Conditioning: A method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior.

Reinforcement: In operant conditioning, reinforcement strengthens the effects of a behavior making it more likely that the behavior will occur again in the future.