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stimulus-response behaviour

psychology
Also known as: S-R behaviour

Quick Summary

Stimulus-response (S-R) theory in psychology explains learning and behavior through the interaction of stimuli and the responses they trigger. This idea developed from early concepts of conditioning, where a response becomes more predictable due to reinforcement.12

Key figures like Ivan Pavlov demonstrated how animals could be conditioned to respond to stimuli, such as dogs salivating at the sound of a metronome. Edward L. Thorndike proposed the "law of effect," suggesting that responses followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated.12

Behaviorism, a dominant school of thought in early 20th-century psychology, focused exclusively on observable behaviors and excluded inner mental experiences. It viewed organisms as responding to environmental stimuli and internal biological processes. Understanding how stimuli influence behavior is valuable for guiding learning and addressing behavioral phenomena.31

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