1.3.3 Strengths And Weaknesses Of behaviourist Approach (Be)

Question 1

What can happen to these factors? (S1)

Answer 1

They can be manipulated by the researcher allowing their influence on behaviour to be measured

Question 2

What can controlled experiments investigate? (S1)

Answer 2

Conditioning and behaviour

Question 3

Give an example of experiments into conditioning and behaviour? (S1)

Answer 3

Skinners box

Question 4

What did skinners box do?

Answer 4

Showed the effect of punishment and reinforcement on animal behaviour (operant conditioning)

Question 5

Give an example of positive reinforcement in skinners experiment:

Answer 5

Skinner provided the rat with food every time the lever was pressed which caused an increase in this behaviour

Question 6

Give an example of positive punishment in skinners experiment: (S1)

Answer 6

Skinner gave the rat an electric shock every time the lever was pressed, the rat stopped pressing the lever to remove the unpleasant thing

Question 7

Why is the fact that the behaviourist approach is based on the study of observable measurable factors that influence behaviour a strength? (Strength 1)

Answer 7

The control the researcher has in experiments allow for the research to be replicated

Question 8

(S1) If the findings are consistent…

Answer 8

…we have reliable evidence for behaviourist explanations

Question 9

(Strength 1) reliability in findings allows for what to be drawn?

Answer 9

A cause and effect relationship

Question 10

Give an example of a cause and effect relationship that could be drawn from skinners box: (strength 1)

Answer 10

Using positive reinforcement leads to an increase in the behaviour

Question 11

What is strength 2 of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 11

The behaviourist approach has led to many useful and successful applications

Question 12

Give an example of how the behaviourist approach had led to useful and successful applications: (strength 2)

Answer 12

Systematic desensitisation

Question 13

Briefly explain what happens in SD: (strength 2)

Answer 13

A client learns to associate a phone object with feelings of relaxation rather than fear by using relaxation techniques and working up hierarchy of anxiety provoking situations

Question 14

Why is useful and successful applications (strength 2) a strength?

Answer 14

It helps those with phobic disorders function in real life

Question 15

Give weakness 1 of the behaviourist approach:

Answer 15

It is reductionist

Question 16

What does it mean that he behaviourist approach is reductionist? (W1)

Answer 16

It reduces complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations and focuses on a narrow range if environmental factors to explain behaviour

Question 17

Give an example of the behaviourist approach being reductionist: (w1)

Answer 17

Phobias are reduced to learnt/conditioned behaviour

Question 18

Why is phobias being reduced to learnt/conditioned behaviour a weakness?

Answer 18

It says phobias are purely environmental meaning biological explanations for behaviour are ignored

Question 19

Give an example of a biological explanation for behaviour ignored in the behaviourist approach? (W1)

Answer 19

Phobias being the result of evolutionary influences such as a fear of snaked to avoid being bitten would increase survival chances in the EEA

Question 20

What is weakness 2 of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 20

It is deterministic

Question 21

What does it mean that the behaviourist approach is deterministic? (W2)

Answer 21

We do not have control over our actions
We respond passively to our environment
We have no free will

Question 22

Give an example of how the behaviourist approach is deterministic: (w2)

Answer 22

Assumption 1 says you are born a blank slate and as a result behaviour is learnt from interactions with the environment e.g a teenage boy shoeing aggressive behaviour due to being raised in and aggressive environment

Question 23

Why is the approach being deterministic a weakness?

Answer 23

It says we have no free will meaning unacceptable behaviour can be blamed on the environment

Question 24

Give strength 1 of the behaviourist approach:

Answer 24

Based on the objective study of observable measurable factors that affect behaviour