Assignment 1: Discussion Assignment The discussion assignment provides a forum to discuss the relevant topics for this week based on the course competencies covered. For this assignment make sure to answer all questions by Saturday, March 19, 2016. Provide a detailed response to the topic questions in the Discussion Area. For this assignment post your responses directly in the Discussion Area. Do not use attached documents. To support your work make sure to utilize your course and text readings. When asked also utilize outside sources as well. As in all assignments make sure to cite your sources in your work and provide a reference for each citation utilizing APA format.  Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between one or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Complete your participation for this assignment byWednesday, March 23, 2016.

Use the  Respond link to post responses and materials that pertain to this assignment. Use the  Respond link beneath any existing postings to respond to them.

The science of psychology has steadily been moving more toward a biological basis during the early 20th century but researchers found that it really didn’t explain all the nuances of human behavior. One of the more famous experiments is the Pavlov dog experiment, which described unconditioned and conditioned responses. James Watson went one step further describing behavior from what then emerged as Behaviorism. It was B.F. Skinner that shaped Behaviorism into its current state, through research on operant conditioning. Behaviorism still didn’t provide all the answers; psychology continues to evolve into different areas such as cognitive psychology.    

• Explain why Pavlov’s experiments in reflexology were an important part in the development of psychology.
• Describe behaviorism from Watson’s perspective; then, compare and contrast his viewpoints with operational positivism and the prevailing functionalism.
• What are the major similarities and differences between Watson and Skinner’s behaviorism? From your understanding of psychological principles, which of them had a greater influence in the areas of both research and applied psychology?
• Psychology seems to have emerged as a science, but with an eclectic view of how to understand behavior. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Is there a difference between the research aspect of psychology and the applied side of psychology in terms of theoretical perspectives?

Justify your answers with appropriate research and reasoning. Comment on the postings of at least two peers. Provide an analysis of each peer’s postings while also suggesting specific additions or clarifications for improving the discussion question response.

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W5 A1 Stephanie Dekoski  3/14/2016 4:41:26 PM   (an instructor response) RE: W5 A1 Faculty Chanes  3/15/2016 6:58:38 PM   RE: W5 A1 Melissa Simmons  3/19/2016 3:36:59 PM   RE: W5 A1 Roxanne Zaval  3/19/2016 3:59:33 PM   W5A1 – Lee Dugas Lee Dugas  3/17/2016 11:33:04 PM   (an instructor response) RE: W5A1 – Lee Dugas Faculty Chanes  3/18/2016 1:52:38 PM   Week 5, Assignment 1 Carly Kirn  3/18/2016 10:26:52 AM   (an instructor response) RE: Week 5, Assignment 1 Faculty Chanes  3/18/2016 2:01:11 PM   Week 5 Assignment 1 Melissa Simmons  3/19/2016 3:30:38 PM   RE: Week 5 Assignment 1 Melissa Simmons  3/19/2016 3:38:34 PM   RE: Week 5 Assignment 1 Roxanne Zaval  3/19/2016 4:09:00 PM