Feelings. Nothing More Than Feelings (Part II)

So, we know that feelings are not the causes for behaviour.  It can be quickly assumed that behaviourist thus ignore their existence.  I'm not here to take feelings away from you; rather, lets think about their existence as a byproduct of a consequence.

We're happy when we have received or are in the presence of a preferred item, activity or outcome.  That could be getting a hug, eating some chocolate, thinking about a concert we went to, seeing an A+ on your report card.  All of these things are potential reinforcers.  I say "I love you" (a behaviour) which leads to getting a hug (reinforcement) which leaves me feeling happy (the feeling).  You pay the cashier one dollar (a behaviour) which leads to eating a chocolate bar (reinforcement) which leaves you feeling happy (the feeling)  Therefore, happiness occurs AFTER one's received reinforcement.

Meanwhile, we're typically sad when these preferred items, activities or outcomes that we've come to expect are absent.  For example, when your partner has to work late and has to cancel dinner plans, when your team loses at dodge ball this week or when your favourite doughnut is sold out.  You were expecting the usual reinforcement for your actions; however, it did not deliver.  What a disappointment! (or another word for sad).  And if you were disappointed enough, you might even have to do something about it!  Like cry, throw a tantrum or drive to the other side of the city to get what you want.  Did somebody say extinction burst?

It's not that behaviourist won't acknowledge that feelings exist.  We just see them as byproducts of reinforcement (or lack thereof).  Again, the war on words is fought and the behaviourist will lose.  It's far easier to say you're crying because you are sad.  If someone were to ask you why you are sad, you can now say, "Because I'm going through a bit of an extinction burst since I'm not being reinforced as I had come to expect."  They don't teach that on Sesame Street do they?