Publications [#371646] of John E. Staddon
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- Staddon, J, Theoretical behaviorism,
in Contemporary Behaviorisms in Debate
(August, 2021),
pp. 79-95 [doi] .
(last updated on 2025/03/09)Abstract:
Theoretical behaviorism has evolved from radical behaviorism. To stimulus and response it adds the idea of state: the state (conceptual, not physiological) of the organism defines the repertoire of responses available in a given stimulus context. Classical and operant conditioning are just different faces of the same coin. Classical conditioning is a process that detects correlations between environmental features and something of value, positive or negative, to the organism. This correlation induces a repertoire from which operant reinforcement can select. If the correlation is very strong and the unconditioned stimulus is imminent, then the induced repertoire may be limited-to pecking (in a hungry pigeon) or to salivation (in a restrained dog). Selection, in the sense of a response contingency, may be unnecessary. The result may look like a reflex, but isn't, although restricted behavioral options and extreme motivation may make it appear so.