4. Foundations: Skinner

Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 110)

Professor Bloom opens with a brief discussion of the value and evolutionary basis of unconscious processing. The rest of this lecture introduces students to the theory of Behaviorism, particularly the work of prominent behaviorist, B. F. Skinner. Different types of learning are discussed in detail, as well as reasons why behaviorism has been largely displaced as an adequate theory of human mental life.

00:00 - Chapter 1. A Brief Review on the Unconscious
06:32 - Chapter 2. B. F. Skinner and Behaviorism
11:45 - Chapter 3. Habituation: The Very Simplest Form of Learning
14:25 - Chapter 4. Classical Conditioning: Associating Stimulus
31:18 - Chapter 5. Operant Conditioning: Operating on the Environment
45:12 - Chapter 6. Question and Answer on Behaviorism
46:44 - Chapter 7. Controversies and Criticisms on Behaviorism

Complete course materials are available at the Yale Online website: online.yale.edu

This course was recorded in Spring 2007.