The classical behaviorist approach is one of the main directions in psychology, the method of which is observation and experimental study of the body's reactions to stimuli from the outside for further mathematical substantiation of the relationship between these variables. The development of behaviorism has become a prerequisite for the formation of accurate research methods in psychology, the transition from speculative conclusions to mathematically sound ones. The article describes: a behavioral approach to the study of personality, the history of the development of this direction and its significance in the modern life of society. The latter is illustrated by the use of behaviorist principles in the development of political science.
Behavioral approach in psychology
Behaviorism in psychology arose on the basis of the methodology of the philosophy of positivism, which considers the goal of science to study the directly observable. Hence, the subject of the study of psychology should be the behavior of a person that exists realistically, and not consciousness or the subconscious, which cannot be observed.
The term "behaviorism" comes from English behavior and means "behavior." Thus, the purpose of studying this direction in psychology is behavior - its premises, formation and the ability to control it. A person’s actions and reactions are units of study of behaviorism, and behavior itself is based on the well-known formula “stimulus - reaction”.
The behavioral approach of the individual has become a body of knowledge that is based on experimental studies of animal behavior. Adherents of this trend in psychology have created their own methodological base, goal, subject, study methods, as well as ways to correct behavior. Some theses of behaviorism have become the basis for other sciences, the purpose of which is to study the actions of people. But a particularly large contribution was made to the theory and practice of teaching and raising children.
Representatives of behaviorism in psychology
A long history of the development and improvement of its scientific methods of research and therapy has a behavioral approach. His representatives began by studying the basic principles of animal behavior and came to a system of practical application of this knowledge in humans.
The founder of classical behaviorism D. Watson was a supporter of the opinion that only what can be observed is real. He attached importance to the study of 4 acts of human behavior:
- visible reactions;
- latent reactions (thinking);
- hereditary, natural reactions (e.g. yawning);
- hidden natural reactions (internal processes of the body).
He was convinced that the strength of the reaction depends on the strength of the stimulus, and proposed the formula S = R.
Watson's follower E. Thorndike developed the theory further and formulated the following basic laws of human behavior:
- exercises - the relationship between conditions and reactions to them, depending on the number of reproduction;
- readiness - the conduct of nerve impulses depends on the presence of internal readiness for this individual;
- associative shift - if an individual reacts to one of the many stimuli, then the remaining ones will subsequently cause a similar reaction;
- effect - if the action brings pleasure, then this behavior will manifest itself more often.
The experimental confirmation of the theoretical foundations of this theory belongs to the Russian scientist I. Pavlov. It was he who experimentally proved that conditioned reflexes can be formed in animals, if certain irritants are used. Many know his experiment with the formation in a dog of a conditioned reaction to light in the form of salivation without reinforcement in the form of food.
In the 60s, the development of behaviorism expanded. If earlier it was considered as a set of separate reactions to stimuli, then from then on, the introduction of other variables into this scheme begins. So, E. Tolman, the author of cognitive behaviorism, called this intermediate mechanism a cognitive representation. In his experiments with mice, he showed that animals find a way out of the maze on the way to food in different ways, following a previously unfamiliar route. Thus, he demonstrated that the goal for the animal is more important than the mechanisms for its achievement.
The principles of behaviorism in psychology
To summarize the conclusions reached by representatives of classical behaviorism, we can distinguish several principles of this approach:
- behavior is an individual’s reaction to environmental stimuli with the help of which he adapts (the reaction can be both external and internal);
- personality is an experience acquired by a person in the process of life, a set of behavior patterns;
- human behavior forms the social environment, not internal processes.
These principles are the thesis of the classical approach, which was further developed and disputed by followers and critics.
Types of conditioning
Human development occurs through learning - mastering the experience of interaction with the outside world. These are mechanical skills, and social development, and emotional. Based on this experience, human behavior is also formed. The behavioral approach considers several types of learning, among which the most famous are operant and classical conditioning.
Operand provides for the gradual assimilation by a person of experience in which any of his actions will entail a certain reaction. So, the child learns that if you scatter toys, it can make parents angry.
Classical conditioning tells the individual that one event follows the next. For example, when a mother sees her breast, the child understands that the taste of milk will follow this act. This is the formation of an association, the elements of which are one incentive, followed by another.
The ratio of stimulus and reaction
Theoretically proposed by Watson and practically substantiated by Pavlov, the idea that the stimulus is equal to the reaction to it (S - R) was aimed at ridding psychology of "unscientific" ideas about the existence of a "spiritual, invisible" principle in a person. Studies conducted on animals, extended to the mental life of man.
But the development of this theory also changed the "stimulus - response" scheme. So, Thorndike noted that the expectation of reinforcement strengthens the connection between the stimulus and the reaction. Based on this, a person takes action if he expects a positive result or avoids the negative consequences (positive and negative reinforcement).
E. Tolman also considered this scheme simplified and proposed his own: S - I - R, where between the stimulus and the reaction are the individual physiological characteristics of the individual, his personal experience, and heredity.
Behavioral Science
Behaviorism has become the basis for the development of a behavioral approach in psychology. Although these directions are often identified, there is still a significant difference between them. The behaviorist approach considers a person as the result of learning, as a set of externally presented reactions, on the basis of which behavior is formed. Thus, in behaviorism only those actions that appear externally make sense. The behavioral approach is broader. It includes the principles of classical behaviorism, a cognitive and personal approach, i.e., the body’s internal actions (thoughts, feelings, roles) that are created by the person and for which she is responsible are also subject to research.
The behaviorist approach has received many modifications, among which the most common is the theory of social learning by A. Bandura and D. Rotter. Scientists have expanded their understanding of human behavior. They believed that personality actions are determined not only by external factors, but also by an internal predisposition.
A. Bandura noted that readiness, faith, expectations - as internal determinants - interact with encouragement and punishment, external factors equally. He was also confident that a person was able to independently change his behavior under the influence of the attitude of the world around him. But most importantly, a person can form a new plan of action by simply observing the behavior of other people even without their direct influence. According to the researcher, a person has a unique ability to self-regulate his behavior.
J. Rotter, developing this theory, proposed a system for predicting human behavior. According to the scientist, a person will act on the basis of 4 conditions: potential behavior (degree of probability of behavior on some stimulus), expectations (subject's assessment of the likelihood of reinforcement in response to his behavior), reinforcement value (assessment of the personal significance of the reaction to actions) and psychological situation (the external environment in which the action may occur). Thus, the behavior potential depends on the combination of these three factors.
Hence, social learning is the assimilation of skills and patterns of behavior in the social world, which is determined by both external factors and the internal predisposition of the individual.
Behavioral approach in political science
The usual legal method in political science, which studied legal and political institutions, was replaced in the 50s by behavioristic. His purpose was to study the nature of the political behavior of people as citizens and political groups. This method allowed us to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze political processes.
The behaviorist approach in political science is used to study the behavior of the individual as part of the political system and the incentives that stimulate him to act - motives, interests. Thanks to him, in political science such concepts as “personality”, “attitude”, “beliefs”, “public opinion”, “electorate behavior” began to sound.
Key points
- The emphasis should be shifted from political institutions to the behavior of individuals in the framework of state life.
- The main credo: political science must also study directly observable using rigorous empirical methods.
- The dominant motive for participation in political activity is based on psychological orientation.
- The study of political life should strive to reveal the causal relationships that exist in society.
Representatives of behaviorism in political science
The founders of the behavioral approach to politics are C. Merriam, G. Gosnell, G. Lasswell. They concluded that political science needed methods of "rational" control and social planning. Using Thurstone’s idea of the connection between human behavior and his attitudes, scientists adapted it to political science and allowed us to move from the analysis of state institutions as the main object of research to the analysis of power, political behavior, public opinion and elections.
This idea was continued in the writings of P. Lazersfeld, B. Barelson, A. Campbell, D. Stokes and others. They analyzed the election process in America, summarized the manifestations of human behavior in a democratic society, and came to several conclusions:
- the participation of the majority of citizens in elections is, rather, the exception than the rule;
- political interest depends on the level of education and human income;
- the average citizen, as a rule, is poorly informed in matters of the political life of society;
- election results are largely dependent on group loyalty;
- political science should develop to the benefit of real human problems in times of crisis.
Thus, the development of the behavioral method in political science made a real revolution and became the prerequisite for the formation of an applied science of the political life of society.