When viewing behavior as instinctual this is to say complex behavior patterns have a genetic determinant. Activities the result of instinctive behavior include migration, hibernation, and mating behavior. This instinctive explanation of behavior is also termed species specific behavior. This type of behavior refers to not only complex behavior but also unlearned and unmodified behavior patterns of a certain species under certain circumstances. Instinctual behavior though thorough only explains one half of the nature versus nurture dichotomy the never ending struggle between associationism (empiricism) and rationalism. In existence are many forms of experiential or behavioral learning such as Thorndike's instrumental conditioning, Skinner's operant conditioning, and Pavlov's classical conditioning. In instrumental conditioning reinforcement occurs when an organism reacts in a certain manner. In classical conditioning an unconditioned stimulus is presented with a conditioned stimulus to create a conditioned response. Within operant conditioning the individual receives reinforcement or punishment in response to behavior. These conditioning techniques aim to demonstrate the effect of experience and learning on behavior. The behaviorist principles dominated psychology during the first half of the twentieth century. Not until the emergence of cognitive psychology and Jean Piaget does psychology change to not only a new view of the derivation of behavior but also a new modern psychology.
About the Author: Steven grows-up in a small town in Boston, Massachusetts playing with other children in his neighborhood. Steven leads a mostly quiet life spending much of his time devoted to his studies. Steven views himself more as a curious person than as a genius. He was born on July 13, 1975, his father was a machinist and mother Beverly was daughter to a machinist. Steven liked running and climbing but most of all he liked collecting, match box cars, baseball cards, muscle men figures, and pretty much anything else he could get his hands on. Steven grows-up with his two sisters who as mentioned earlier lead a relatively quiet life. Steven at times rebels at home by sneaking out of the house at night to join in the endeavors of locals in the neighborhood. Steven succeeds within University of Phoenix receiving a Bachelor of Science degree graduating with honors. During this time Steven authors four works pertaining to his area of study and another on the secrets to self-publishing. Steven has written nine total in print books including two full-length text books. He may be most known for his collection of 90+ eBooks and over 170 eBook publications. This is where most of Steven's authority in writing resides. Through his intense study and writing routine he has become an SME in various domains. He is currently continuing his studies within a terminal master's degree IO psychology program at SNHU.