4.2.1 The Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
Give a brief overview of the emergence of the behaviourist approach
-emerged in the beginning of the 20th century
-became the dominant approach in psychology for half oof that century
-credited as the driving force in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline
-J.B Watson rejected introspection as it is subjective, so can’t be measured or checked
-behaviourists tried to maintain objectivity and relied on lab experiments
-explain human behaviour as learning through association or consequences.
Give the key assumptions of the behaviourists?
-only concerned with observable behaviour, as it can be objectively and scientifically measured as it can be seen
-believed that behaviour must be measured in controlled environments to establish cause and effect
-when born our mind is a ‘blank slate’, so they are not interested in the biological influence on behaviour
-it is valid to generalise learning and behaviour in animals and humans
-behaviour is the result of a stimulus, and produces a response
-reinforcement strengthens a behaviour and punishment stops it
-all behaviour is learned from the environment; classical or operant conditioning
-people do not have free will as environment determines behaviour.
Who explored classical conditioning and what was his theory?
-Ivan Pavlov
-developed the theory that an existing unconscious involuntary reflex could be associated with a new stimulus
Define classical conditioning
When genetic reflexes are conditioned to be associated with a new stimulus
Define unconditioned stimulus
A stimulus that generates an unlearned, automatic and biological response eg. Dog’s food
Define unconditioned response
A response to the ucs that is unlearned, automatic and biological eg. Salivation.
Define neutral stimulus
A new stimulus that generates no response eg. A bell
Define conditioned stimulus
A stimulus that is now associated with an unconscious response, due to classical conditioning
Define conditioned response
The learned response to the conditioned stimulus
What is association?
Learning due to the association of a neutral stimulus with and unconditioned reflex response
What is extinction?
When a conditioned response is gradually eliminated
What is stimulus generalisation?
When the conditioned response to a stimulus is also associated to any similar stimuli.
Describe the little Albert example of classical conditioning
-conducted by Watson and Raynor
-conducted a laboratory experiment to examine whether a fear response could be learned through classical conditioning in humans
-Little Albert previously showed no response to a white rat
-they struck a metal bar behind his head when he reached for the rat
-Albert associated white and fluffy objects to the loud noise
-he then cried at the sight of the rat or similar objects
-the rat had become a conditioned stimulus, and the crying became a conditioned response
Define operant conditioning
A form of learning in which behaviour is learnt through the consequences of our actions
3 key points about Skinner’s ideas
-he developed his ideas based on Ivan Pavlov’s earlier research
-behaviours we display are likely to be repeated if they are reinforced, and not repeated if we are punished
-he developed this into the theory of operant conditioning (humans and animals operate based on their environment and behaviour is shaped through consequences)
What is positive reinforcement?
Receiving a rewarding consequence for the performance of a certain behaviour, so that we are likely to repeat this behaviour
What is negative reinforcement?
The avoidance of something unpleasant due to the performance of a certain behaviour, so we are likely to repeat it
What is positive punishment?
Receiving an unpleasant consequence for the performance of a behaviour, so we are less likely to repeat it.
What is negative punishment?
Taking away or removing something pleasant due to the performance of a behaviour, so we are less likely to repeat it.
What is a primary reinforcer?
A positive reinforcer that satisfies a basic biological need eg. Food or water
What is a secondary reinforcer?
A positive reinforcer that has no survival value, but is associated with a primary reinforcer eg. Credit card
What did skinner create to show the principles of operant conditioning?
He invented the Skinner box through extensive research using arts and pigeons in controlled laboratory experiments
How did the Skinner box work?
-Skinner box had a food dispenser, a lever and an electric grid on the floor
-he taught hungry rats to press the lever to obtain food - first given food when near to the lever, then when physical contact is made with the lever
-eventually the rat only received food when it pressed the lever
-this process was known as behaviour shaping
-the rat had many responses at first, but only the response that was rewarded continued
-all other responses became extinct
What is behaviour shaping?
Learning by being rewarded in stages for behaviour that gradually gets nearer to the desired behaviour.
What are schedules of reinforcement?
The precise rules that are used to present or remove reinforcers or punishments, following a specific operant behaviour.
(The time or number of responses required to present or remove a reinforcer or punisher)
What is continuous reinforcement?
Desired behaviour is reinforced every time it occurs (quickly becomes extinct if the reinforcer is removed).
What are ratio schedules?
Require a certain number of operant responses to produce the next reinforcer
What is a fixed ratio schedule?
Required number of responses is fixed from one reinforcer to the next (produces rapid responses, but extinction is quick when the reinforcer is removed)
What is a variable ratio schedule?
Reinforcement that varies from one reinforcer to the next, where there is a different number of responses between each reinforcement (produces a steady rate of response that is resistant to extinction)
What is an interval schedule?
Require a minimum amount of time that must pass between successive reinforced responses.
What is a fixed interval schedule?
When the response is reinforced after a certain time period that is fixed (produces a good rate of response, until the time periods are learned).
What are variable interval schedules?
When the response is reinforced after a varying time period (produces a steady rate of response and is resistant to extinction).
Which reinforcement schedule has been the most successful at producing responses?
Variable ratio schedule
Describe how systematic desensitisation uses classical conditioning to treat disorders?
-person with phobia is encouraged to learn to associate relaxation to the phobia rather than the phobic stimulus of anxiety
-clients are taught relaxation techniques, and are gradually exposed to their phobic stimulus
-treatment is successful when clients remain calm in high anxiety inducing situations
Describe how token economics for offending behaviour uses operant conditioning
-systems in prisons that use rewards and punishments
-reward (positively reinforce) desirable behaviour with tokens (secondary reinforcer)
-punish (negatively punish) poor behaviour by taking away tokens.
-tokens can be exchanged for benefits eg. Gym time or a phone call home
What is meant by deterministic perspective?
The idea that behaviour is pre-determined and we do not have any choice over our actions.
What is meant by a nomothetic approach?
Explanations which seek to establish general and universal laws of behaviour, that can be applied to large groups.
What is meant by reductionism?
Explanations that focus narrowly on specific aspects of behaviour, reducing it down to its component parts.
