purposive behaviorism

a cognitive theory of learning postulating that behavioral acts have a goal or purpose that selects and guides the behavioral sequence until the goal or purpose is attained. Purposive behaviorism incorporates the gestalt concepts of field theory and contrasts with behavioral learning theories, which reduce behavior to smaller units of learned stimuli and responses. See also S–S learning model. [proposed by Edward C. Tolman]

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

family romance

a common childhood fantasy in which a child imagines that he or she is the offspring not of his or her biological parents but of a noble or royal personage. Sigmund Freud saw this as rooted in the Oedipus complex. See foster-child fantasy.