1.3.3 Strengths And Weaknesses Of behaviourist Approach (Be) Flashcards
What can happen to these factors? (S1)
They can be manipulated by the researcher allowing their influence on behaviour to be measured
What can controlled experiments investigate? (S1)
Conditioning and behaviour
Give an example of experiments into conditioning and behaviour? (S1)
Skinners box
What did skinners box do?
Showed the effect of punishment and reinforcement on animal behaviour (operant conditioning)
Give an example of positive reinforcement in skinners experiment:
Skinner provided the rat with food every time the lever was pressed which caused an increase in this behaviour
Give an example of positive punishment in skinners experiment: (S1)
Skinner gave the rat an electric shock every time the lever was pressed, the rat stopped pressing the lever to remove the unpleasant thing
Why is the fact that the behaviourist approach is based on the study of observable measurable factors that influence behaviour a strength? (Strength 1)
The control the researcher has in experiments allow for the research to be replicated
(S1) If the findings are consistent…
…we have reliable evidence for behaviourist explanations
(Strength 1) reliability in findings allows for what to be drawn?
A cause and effect relationship
Give an example of a cause and effect relationship that could be drawn from skinners box: (strength 1)
Using positive reinforcement leads to an increase in the behaviour
What is strength 2 of the behaviourist approach?
The behaviourist approach has led to many useful and successful applications
Give an example of how the behaviourist approach had led to useful and successful applications: (strength 2)
Systematic desensitisation
Briefly explain what happens in SD: (strength 2)
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
Why is useful and successful applications (strength 2) a strength?
It helps those with phobic disorders function in real life
Give weakness 1 of the behaviourist approach:
It is reductionist
What does it mean that he behaviourist approach is reductionist? (W1)
It reduces complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations and focuses on a narrow range if environmental factors to explain behaviour
Give an example of the behaviourist approach being reductionist: (w1)
Phobias are reduced to learnt/conditioned behaviour
Why is phobias being reduced to learnt/conditioned behaviour a weakness?
It says phobias are purely environmental meaning biological explanations for behaviour are ignored
Give an example of a biological explanation for behaviour ignored in the behaviourist approach? (W1)
Phobias being the result of evolutionary influences such as a fear of snaked to avoid being bitten would increase survival chances in the EEA
What is weakness 2 of the behaviourist approach?
It is deterministic
What does it mean that the behaviourist approach is deterministic? (W2)
We do not have control over our actions
We respond passively to our environment
We have no free will
Give an example of how the behaviourist approach is deterministic: (w2)
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
Why is the approach being deterministic a weakness?
It says we have no free will meaning unacceptable behaviour can be blamed on the environment
Give strength 1 of the behaviourist approach:
Based on the objective study of observable measurable factors that affect behaviour
