Why we do the things we do: Behavioral psychology provides answers

Behavioral psychologists try to understand how humans acquire behavior and what influences the adoption or adaptation of certain actions. Study this branch of psychology to learn about different researchers and how to apply their work.

Behavioral psychology schools and degree programs assist with achieving careers in research, education or clinical psychology. Behaviorism originated with the work of John B. Watson (1878-1958). Watson studied the influence of learning on human behavior. Students of behaviorism originally believed that only observable behaviors could be studied, as abstract factors such as mood or emotions were not reliable for scientific study. This position was popular in the U.S. for about 50 years, but behaviorists now view such factors such as emotions and environment as legitimately influencing human behavior.

Pavlov: classical and operant conditioning

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) discovered classical conditioning when researching digestive processes in dogs. His famous study involved stimulating dogs to salivate using meat powder (an unconditioned response) and later ringing a bell when the meat powder was provided. Eventually, the dogs began to associate the bell with receiving meat powder and would salivate upon hearing the bell (a conditioned response). The sound of the bell, not normally a stimulus for salivation, became a learned stimulus when the dogs associated the sound of the bell with receiving food.

Operant conditioning is based on how a subject responds to environmental influences, and what it learns from the consequences of manipulating its environment. A cat confined in a box learns to touch a certain part of the box to open a door in the box. Pigeons are rewarded for pecking a particular color, but not another. Animals learn from the consequences of their actions; if the cat steps on the right spot in the box, the door opens, and if the pigeon pecks at the desired color, it receives a food reward.

B. F. Skinner and reinforcement techniques

B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) conducted research using reinforcement techniques providing a basis for teaching humans and animals. Positive reinforcement such as giving a dog a treat or complimenting a child for performing a desired behavior is the most effective method of reinforcement. Negative reinforcement occurs when a subject performs a desired behavior and a negative stimulus stops. A wife nags (negative stimulus) her husband to mow the lawn all week; when he mows the lawn (desired behavior), the nagging stops. Punishment is a negative consequence applied after an undesirable behavior occurs. Subjects learn to associate the negative stimulus of punishment with the undesirable behavior, which results in reducing or ceasing the unwanted behavior.

Psychologists typically hold a PhD in psychology. Researchers and counselors usually possess a master’s degree, while research assistants may hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for psychologists are expected to grow by 12 percent between 2008 and 2018. Degrees in behavioral psychology are also useful for those interested in educational psychology.