Theoretical behaviorism

Theoretical behaviorism is a framework for psychology proposed by J. E. R. Staddon as an extension of experimental psychologist B. F. Skinner's radical behaviorism.^{[1] [2]} It originated at Harvard in the early 1960s.^[3]

In the late 1980s, R. H. Ettinger and Staddon critiqued functional analysis.^{[4] [5]}

In the early 1950s, B. F. Skinner and others began to point out the similarities between the learning process and evolution through variation and selection.^{[6] [7] [8]} More recently, models explicitly analogous to gene mutation and selection by reinforcement have been applied to operant conditioning phenomena.^{[9] [10]} Skinner’s idea of "emitted behavior" is an example of a parallel between evolution and behaviorism: once a behavior varies, a variant that results in reward is strengthened and therefore increases in frequency.^[11] When a reward is taken away or when selection is relaxed, there is an increase in variability in both natural selection and selection by reinforcement schedule.^[12]

Skinner said little about the causes and types of behavior variation, believing it to be random.^[13] On the other hand, Zener, Liddell and others^{[14] [15]} argue that the variation in behaviors that psychological reinforcement acts on is not random. For example, it is different for food than for sex or a social reward. The ethologist Lorenz first identified the dog’s behavior as a particular instinctive pattern, similar to a repertoire.^[16]

A "repertoire" of behaviors involves potential behaviors that may occur under certain conditions, such as if the currently active behavior is unrewarded. The observed repertoire in a particular animal depends on the reward size and nature of the stimulus: anticipation of food will lead to a different repertoire than anticipation of electric shock.^[17]

In addition to the active behavior, a repertoire includes latent possible activities. This idea of a latent response was first suggested by B.F. Skinner:

"Our basic datum...is the probability that a response will be emitted...We recognize ...that ... every response may be conceived of as having at any moment an assignable probability of emission... A latent response with a certain probability of emission is not directly observed. It is a scientific construct. But it can be given a respectable status, and it enormously increases our analytical power.... It is assumed that the strength of a response must reach a certain value before the response will be emitted. This value is called the threshold."^[18]

Within theoretical behaviorism, the "threshold" is instead competition from other possible responses.^{[19] [20]}

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