Determinism and behaviorism



This may take a bit more than a quicky.. I will try to keep it simple at first.





A behavior can only be affected in three ways. And to some extent, a fourth way...As a way of demonstrating that something really did happen, we use rate of responding for starters. You must admit if the rate goes up or down, something has happened. When a person makes a response to whatever, the first thing that might happen is positive reinforcement of the… Continue

We are all determinists even if we unaware of it. We do not expect the car to start by itself. We do not expect the grass to cut itself. We do not expect the food to make its way to our mouth without using a spoon or fork. We do not expect the window to open or close without our taking some action. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.



When it comes to other behaviors, we expect them to happen by “magic”, or “free will’.. No cause. This really defiles logic if one… Continue