Behavioral Psychology

Behavioral psychology is one of the major topics taught in every introductory psychology course, yet many concepts that lie at the heart of this subject can be confusing for students. If you’ve ever found yourself confusing the unconditioned stimulus with the conditioned stimulus, this basic tutorial is for you.

Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Learn more about conditioning, major behaviorists, and important events in this overview of behaviorism.

Behavior analysis is a school of psychology based on the principles of behaviorism. Learn more about behavior analysis and behavioral psychology.

Learn how to apply the stages of change model to New Year's Resolutions and other goals you make throughout the year.

Understand how classical and operant conditioning differ in several important ways.

Clark Hull's drive reduction theory was a dominant idea in psychology during the middle of the 20th-century, but it has all but disappeared today. Learn more about the drive reduction theory of motivation and the important influence it had on psychology.

John Watson was one of the major influences on behaviorism and behaviorist theories. Read the full-text of his article "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It," originally published in Psychological Review in 1913.

This study guide offers an overview of classical and operant conditioning, including major thinkers and key terms.