1.3.1 The Behaviourist Approach (Be)

Question 1

What does the behaviourist approach aim to do?

Answer 1

Explain how we think and behave in terms of learnt responses

Question 2

When was the behaviourist approach the dominant psychological approach?

Answer 2

1913 - late 1950s

Question 3

What is the main assumption of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 3

All behaviour is learned from the environment after birth

Question 4

What do behaviourists argue psychology should study and why?

Answer 4

Only study observable behaviour as this is the only way human behaviour can be measured in a scientific way

Question 5

What is the behaviourist approach?

Answer 5

A nurture approach

Question 6

Why is the behaviourist approach a nurture approach?

Answer 6

It explains behaviour in terms of learnt responses

Question 7

Why is the behaviourist approach a scientific approach?

Answer 7

Studies observable behaviour

Question 8

What does the behaviourist approach provide?

Answer 8

A psychological explanation for behaviour

Question 9

Is the behaviourist approach deterministic?

Answer 9

Yes it is environmentally deterministic

Question 10

What does it mean that the behaviourist approach is environmentally deterministic?

Answer 10

You have no control over your behaviour, it is purely the result of your environment