General Psychology In Terms Of Behavior by Stevenson Smith pdf
A Refreshing Look at Psychology
“General Psychology in Terms of Behavior” by Smith and Guthrie offers a unique and engaging perspective on the field of psychology. The authors, renowned in their time, present a clear and concise exploration of behaviorism, focusing on how learning shapes our actions.
This book is a treasure for anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals of psychology, particularly the role of conditioning and environmental influences. Its accessibility and engaging writing style make it a refreshing read, even for those unfamiliar with the subject. While written decades ago, the book’s core concepts remain relevant and valuable today.
General Psychology In Terms of Behavior: A Look at the Work of Stevenson Smith and Edwin Guthrie
The study of psychology has evolved considerably since its inception. One pivotal shift in the field came with the rise of behaviorism, a school of thought that emphasized the importance of observable behavior in understanding the human mind. Two prominent figures in this movement, Stevenson Smith and Edwin Guthrie, made significant contributions to the field through their book, General Psychology in Terms of Behavior. This book, published in 1921, offered a unique perspective on psychology, focusing on learning and behavior, and has remained a valuable resource for understanding the foundations of behavioral psychology.
A Focus on Observable Behavior:
General Psychology in Terms of Behavior stands out for its unwavering commitment to studying psychology through observable behavior. Rejecting the traditional focus on introspection and mental states, Smith and Guthrie argued that psychology should be grounded in the scientific method, with an emphasis on quantifiable data and controlled experiments. This approach was a direct response to the dominance of introspection in the field, which relied on subjective accounts of individual experiences.
The Role of Learning:
Smith and Guthrie emphasized the importance of learning in shaping human behavior. They proposed that learning was a fundamental process by which individuals acquire new responses to stimuli. Their work explored various theories of learning, including:
- The Law of Contiguity: This law states that when two events occur together in time and space, they become associated. For example, if a bell is repeatedly sounded just before food is presented to a dog, the dog will eventually associate the sound of the bell with the anticipation of food.
- The Law of Frequency: According to this law, the more often two events are paired together, the stronger the association becomes. This principle explains why repeated exposure to a stimulus can lead to a learned response.
- The Law of Recency: This law suggests that the most recent pairing of events has the strongest influence on learning. This means that if a bell is sounded followed by food, and then later a whistle is sounded followed by food, the dog is more likely to associate the whistle with food because it is the most recent pairing.
Practical Applications of Behaviorism:
Smith and Guthrie’s work on behaviorism had a profound impact on various areas of psychology and beyond. Here are some key applications:
- Education: Their principles of learning led to new approaches in education, with a focus on reinforcement and repetition. The use of positive reinforcement techniques, for instance, has become a standard practice in classrooms.
- Therapy: Behaviorism laid the groundwork for behavioral therapies, such as exposure therapy and aversion therapy, which are used to treat a variety of mental health conditions.
- Marketing: The principles of association and conditioning are extensively used in advertising, where marketers aim to create positive associations between their products and desirable outcomes.
- Animal Training: Animal trainers use behaviorist principles to teach animals specific behaviors, ranging from simple commands to complex routines.
A Legacy of Influence:
The book General Psychology in Terms of Behavior played a significant role in establishing behaviorism as a major force in psychology. Although some of its specific theories have been refined or challenged over the years, its fundamental principles continue to be relevant and influential. Smith and Guthrie’s emphasis on the scientific study of behavior and the importance of learning laid the foundation for much of the contemporary work in cognitive science, developmental psychology, and neuroscience.
References:
- Smith, Stevenson, and Edwin Guthrie. General Psychology in Terms of Behavior. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1921. https://archive.org/details/generalpsycholog00smitrich
- Watson, John B. Behaviorism. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1924. https://archive.org/details/behaviorism00watsuoft
- Skinner, B. F. The Behavior of Organisms. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1938. https://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Skinner/Organisms/
In conclusion, General Psychology in Terms of Behavior stands as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry in understanding human behavior. Smith and Guthrie’s work provided a framework for understanding learning and its impact on our thoughts, actions, and interactions with the world. While the field of psychology has expanded significantly since their time, their contributions remain an essential cornerstone of modern psychology.
“General Psychology in Terms of Behavior” by Stevenson Smith and Edwin Ray Guthrie is a classic text published in 1918. This book delves into the fundamentals of psychology, focusing on behaviorism as its primary lens. It explores various aspects of human behavior, including learning, motivation, and social interactions, through a behaviorist framework. The book, written in English, is available for download as a PDF file, and can be accessed through the Internet Archive. Furthermore, the book offers a comprehensive overview of psychological principles, making it a valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
General psychology in terms of behavior by Smith, Stevenson, 1883-1950, Guthrie, Edwin Ray, 1886- |
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| Title: | General psychology in terms of behavior |
| Author: | Smith, Stevenson, 1883-1950, Guthrie, Edwin Ray, 1886- |
| Subjects: | Psychology |
| Language: | eng |
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| Publisher: | New York, London, Appleton |
| Collection: | cdl, americana |
| Contributor: | University of California Libraries |
| Pages Count: | 300 |
| BooK PPI: | 400 |
| Added Date: | 2008-08-28 14:26:37 |
