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Related Concept Videos

Behaviorism01:28

Behaviorism

The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
What is Behavior?00:54

What is Behavior?

Behaviors are actions that an organism engages in—they can be related to finding food, reproducing, defending against threats, and many other possible actions. Behaviors include activities related to the environment around the animal—such as migration—as well as social interactions within a species or population. Many behaviors involve motor output—that is, muscle movements—while others involve less visible actions, such as learning.
Behavior Modification01:21

Behavior Modification

Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
Quantitative Analysis01:12

Quantitative Analysis

Quantitative analysis is a technique for measuring the amount of specific constituents in a sample. When the sample's composition is unknown, qualitative analysis is performed first to identify its components, which ensures that the correct substances are measured during the quantitative phase.
In quantitative analysis, two key measurements are made: the sample quantity and a property proportional to the amount of the analyte (the substance being analyzed). This forms the basis of the method...
Statistical Analysis: Overview01:11

Statistical Analysis: Overview

When we take repeated measurements on the same or replicated samples, we will observe inconsistencies in the magnitude. These inconsistencies are called errors. To categorize and characterize these results and their errors, the researcher can use statistical analysis to determine the quality of the measurements and/or suitability of the methods.
One of the most commonly used statistical quantifiers is the mean, which is the ratio between the sum of the numerical values of all results and the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

A System for Tracking the Dynamics of Social Preference Behavior in Small Rodents
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Some remarks on the quantitative analysis of behavior.

M J Marr

    The Behavior Analyst
    |April 6, 2012
    PubMed
    Summary

    This study explores the mathematical parallels between operant behavior principles and early physics, drawing connections between concepts like motion, force, and behavioral dynamics.

    Area of Science:

    • Behavioral science
    • History of science
    • Mathematical modeling

    Background:

    • The mathematization of operant behavior shares historical parallels with the development of physics.
    • Early physics focused on observable changes (e.g., motion) before delving into causal forces.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To draw explicit comparisons between the mathematization of behavior and the historical mathematization of physics.
    • To highlight how concepts like 'change' and 'force' are analogous in both fields.

    Main Methods:

    • Comparative analysis of historical scientific development in physics and behavior analysis.
    • Examination of foundational principles in classical mechanics and operant conditioning.

    Main Results:

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    • Galileo's focus on changes in motion parallels Skinner's interest in changes in behavioral rate.
    • Newtonian force as a cause of change in motion is analogous to reinforcement as a cause of change in behavior.
    • Mathematical formulations exist for behavioral momentum and maximization.

    Conclusions:

    • The mathematization of behavior can be understood through the lens of physics' historical development.
    • Further work is needed to integrate molar and molecular formulations in behavioral theory.