behaviorism

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According to behaviorism, animals, humans included, were born as blank slates, indifferent learning machines that acquired behavioral repertoires through associations ( "If I touch a hot oven my finger hurts.") and contingent outcomes to behaviors, such as rewards and punishment.

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Definitions (3)

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  1. noun A school of psychology that confines itself to the study of observable and quantifiable aspects of behavior and excludes subjective phenomena, such as emotions or motives.

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Examples (50)

  • Before the Twentieth Century, with its psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and rebirthing therapy. —  F ;SF; - vol 098 issue 01 - January 2000
  • We can speak of Freudian psychoanalysis, behaviorism, evolutionary psychology, existentialist psychology and other schools of thought in the field of psychology rather than the science of psychology simpliciter. —  Baptist Standard
  • Processors • Contrast with behaviorism - Organisms respond to environment • Invention of computer & focus on mental processes • Chompsky's review of Skinner's book on language - Illuminated inadequacies of behaviorism —  Recently Uploaded Slideshows
  • But in America the psychological scene was dominated by behaviorism, led by the work and advocacy of psychologists such as B.F. Skinner and John Watson. —  Experimental Theology
  • According to behaviorism, animals, humans included, were born as blank slates, indifferent learning machines that acquired behavioral repertoires through associations ( "If I touch a hot oven my finger hurts.") and contingent outcomes to behaviors, such as rewards and punishment. —  Experimental Theology
 

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