4.2 Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

A way of explaining behaviour in a terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

Learning by association (when 2 stimuli are paired together, unconditioned and neutral)

Question 3

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 3

Learning through reinforcement (behaviour is shaped and maintained by consequences)

Question 4

What is reinforcement?

Answer 4

A consequence of behaviour that affects the likelihood of behaviour being repeated. Can be positive or negative

Question 5

What is punishment?

Answer 5

When undesirable behaviour produces unpleasant consequences (behaviour will decrease in frequency)

Question 6

Describe Pavlovs research into classical conditioning

Answer 6

• Showed how dogs could be conditioned to salivate to sound of bell
• Sound was repeated at same time dogs given food
• Dogs learned to associate sound of bell (neutral stimulus) with food (unconditioned stimulus)
• Dogs produced salivation response each time they heard bell (conditioned response)

Question 7

Describe Skinners research into operant conditioning

Answer 7

• Showed how rats could be conditioned to repeat same behaviour
• Positive reinforcement: every time rat activated a lever within the box, it was awarded with food pellet
• Negative reinforcement: pull lever to avoid unpleasant stimulus e.g electric shock

Question 8

Two strengths of behaviourist approach

Answer 8

Well-controlled research
- Measures observable behaviour in controlled lab settings
- Behaviour broken down into stimulus-response units, extraneous variables removed
- Cause-effect relationships established e.g skinners study
- Scientific credibility of approach

Real-world application
- Operant conditioning basis of token economies e.g prisons and psychiatric wards
- Reward appropriate behaviour with exchange of privileges
- Classical conditioning used in treatment of phobias
- Approach has increased practical value

Question 9

One limitation of behaviourist approach

Answer 9

Environmental determinism
- Views all behaviour as conditioned by past conditioning experiences
- Skinner suggested everything we do is sum total of reinforcement history
- Ignores influence of free will on behaviour (Skinner claimed free will is an illusion)
- Influence of conscious decision making processes ignored