The behaviourist approach Flashcards

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1
Q

Behaviourism - What are we born as?

A

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state)

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2
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).

How is behaviour learned?

A

Behaviour is learned from experience

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3
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
What is everything we become shaped by?

A

Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment

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4
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, what should it focus on?

A

In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured

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5
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured, rather than what?

A

In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on:
1. Observable behaviour that can be objectively measured
,rather than
2. Things like cognitive processes that can only be inferred

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6
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured, rather than things like cognitive processes that can only be inferred.
What idea is rejected?

A

The idea of introspection is rejected

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7
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured, rather than things like cognitive processes that can only be inferred.
The idea of introspection is rejected.
What are the best way to achieve this?

A

Laboratory experiments are the best way to achieve this

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8
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured, rather than things like cognitive processes that can only be inferred.
The idea of introspection is rejected.
Laboratory experiments are the best way to achieve this.
Only what is measurable scientifically?

A

Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically

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9
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured, rather than things like cognitive processes that can only be inferred.
The idea of introspection is rejected.
Laboratory experiments are the best way to achieve this.
Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically and it is only what that should be studied?

A
  1. Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically

2. It is only these behaviours that should be studied

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10
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured, rather than things like cognitive processes that can only be inferred.
The idea of introspection is rejected.
Laboratory experiments are the best way to achieve this.
Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically and it is only these behaviours that should be studied, why?

A

Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically and it is only these behaviours that should be studied, because thought processes are:

  1. Subjective
  2. Difficult to test
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11
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured, rather than things like cognitive processes that can only be inferred.
The idea of introspection is rejected.
Laboratory experiments are the best way to achieve this.
Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically and it is only these behaviours that should be studied, because thought processes are subjective and difficult to test.
Why is it valid to study the behaviour of animals?

A

It is valid to study the behaviour of animals, because they share the same principles of learning (classical and operant conditioning)

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12
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment.
In order for psychology to be scientific, it should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured, rather than things like cognitive processes that can only be inferred.
The idea of introspection is rejected.
Laboratory experiments are the best way to achieve this.
Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically and it is only these behaviours that should be studied, because thought processes are subjective and difficult to test.
It is valid to study the behaviour of animals, because they share the same principles of learning (classical and operant conditioning).
We are born a blank state, so there is no what on behaviour?

A

We are born a blank state, so there is no genetic influence on behaviour

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13
Q

Classical conditioning is one of the behaviourist principles of learning and is learning by association.
What is the key idea?

A

The key idea is that learning occurs when an association is made between:

  1. A previously neutral stimulus
  2. Reflex response
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14
Q

Classical conditioning is one of the behaviourist principles of learning and is learning by association.
The key idea is that learning occurs when an association is made between a previously neutral stimulus and reflex response.
This reflex response can be positive or negative.
If the association of the stimulus is with a positive feeling, then that positive feeling will arise whenever the person comes into contact with that specific stimulus.
The same is true for negative associations.
For example, 18 year old Kat has started university and is enjoying her fresher’s week.
A particular song is being played a lot during this time whilst she is out and she often dances to it.
She will make a positive association with that song and for years to come whenever she hears that song she will feel positive and happy.
Similarly, if Kat was miserable and homesick in that time, then she would feel bad whenever she heard that song.
Classical conditioning can be applied to many different situations.
What is one of the most memorable ways that someone can be conditioned?

A

One of the most memorable ways that someone can be conditioned is when they acquire a phobia

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15
Q

Classical conditioning is one of the behaviourist principles of learning and is learning by association.
The key idea is that learning occurs when an association is made between a previously neutral stimulus and reflex response.
This reflex response can be positive or negative.
If the association of the stimulus is with a positive feeling, then that positive feeling will arise whenever the person comes into contact with that specific stimulus.
The same is true for negative associations.
For example, 18 year old Kat has started university and is enjoying her fresher’s week.
A particular song is being played a lot during this time whilst she is out and she often dances to it.
She will make a positive association with that song and for years to come whenever she hears that song she will feel positive and happy.
Similarly, if Kat was miserable and homesick in that time, then she would feel bad whenever she heard that song.
Classical conditioning can be applied to many different situations.
One of the most memorable ways that someone can be conditioned is when they acquire a phobia.
What will they make an association between?

A

They will make an association between:

  1. An object/situation
  2. Fear
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16
Q

Classical conditioning is one of the behaviourist principles of learning and is learning by association.
The key idea is that learning occurs when an association is made between a previously neutral stimulus and reflex response.
This reflex response can be positive or negative.
If the association of the stimulus is with a positive feeling, then that positive feeling will arise whenever the person comes into contact with that specific stimulus.
The same is true for negative associations.
For example, 18 year old Kat has started university and is enjoying her fresher’s week.
A particular song is being played a lot during this time whilst she is out and she often dances to it.
She will make a positive association with that song and for years to come whenever she hears that song she will feel positive and happy.
Similarly, if Kat was miserable and homesick in that time, then she would feel bad whenever she heard that song.
Classical conditioning can be applied to many different situations.
One of the most memorable ways that someone can be conditioned is when they acquire a phobia.
They will make an association between an object/situation and fear.
This is illustrated by the rather unethical work of Watson and Rayner (1920), who classically conditioned a boy named ‘Little Albert’ to become phobic of rats.
How was this done?

A

This was done by the presentation of an unconditioned stimulus of a loud noise at the same time as the rat

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17
Q

Classical conditioning is one of the behaviourist principles of learning and is learning by association.
The key idea is that learning occurs when an association is made between a previously neutral stimulus and reflex response.
This reflex response can be positive or negative.
If the association of the stimulus is with a positive feeling, then that positive feeling will arise whenever the person comes into contact with that specific stimulus.
The same is true for negative associations.
For example, 18 year old Kat has started university and is enjoying her fresher’s week.
A particular song is being played a lot during this time whilst she is out and she often dances to it.
She will make a positive association with that song and for years to come whenever she hears that song she will feel positive and happy.
Similarly, if Kat was miserable and homesick in that time, then she would feel bad whenever she heard that song.
Classical conditioning can be applied to many different situations.
One of the most memorable ways that someone can be conditioned is when they acquire a phobia.
They will make an association between an object/situation and fear.
This is illustrated by the rather unethical work of Watson and Rayner (1920), who classically conditioned a boy named ‘Little Albert’ to become phobic of rats.
This was done by the presentation of an unconditioned stimulus of a loud noise at the same time as the rat.
After following this procedure several times, what happened?

A

After following this procedure several times, Little Albert started to cry whenever he was shown a rat, even though he had previously not been scared of it

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18
Q

Who was classical conditioning documented for the first time by?

A

Classical conditioning was documented for the first time by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov

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19
Q

Classical conditioning was documented for the first time by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849 - 1936).
Pavlov was a physiologist whose research work initially focused on the digestive system of dogs.
To do this, he had a dog harnessed to a bench with a tube coming out of its mouth and going into a jar.
When his assistant came into the laboratory with the food for the dog, Pavlov noticed that the dog salivated upon hearing the sound of the door.
Dogs salivate automatically when they see food, but Pavlov’s dog had clearly made an association with the imminent arrival of food when the door was opened.
Pavlov decided to look at this association as his research.
When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so what did Pavlov do whenever the dogs were given food?

A

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food

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20
Q

Classical conditioning was documented for the first time by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849 - 1936).
Pavlov was a physiologist whose research work initially focused on the digestive system of dogs.
To do this, he had a dog harnessed to a bench with a tube coming out of its mouth and going into a jar.
When his assistant came into the laboratory with the food for the dog, Pavlov noticed that the dog salivated upon hearing the sound of the door.
Dogs salivate automatically when they see food, but Pavlov’s dog had clearly made an association with the imminent arrival of food when the door was opened.
Pavlov decided to look at this association as his research.
When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
What then happened?

A

The sound of the bell then became associated with the food

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21
Q

Classical conditioning was documented for the first time by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849 - 1936).
Pavlov was a physiologist whose research work initially focused on the digestive system of dogs.
To do this, he had a dog harnessed to a bench with a tube coming out of its mouth and going into a jar.
When his assistant came into the laboratory with the food for the dog, Pavlov noticed that the dog salivated upon hearing the sound of the door.
Dogs salivate automatically when they see food, but Pavlov’s dog had clearly made an association with the imminent arrival of food when the door was opened.
Pavlov decided to look at this association as his research.
When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
What did this eventually mean?

A

This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present

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22
Q

Classical conditioning was documented for the first time by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849 - 1936).
Pavlov was a physiologist whose research work initially focused on the digestive system of dogs.
To do this, he had a dog harnessed to a bench with a tube coming out of its mouth and going into a jar.
When his assistant came into the laboratory with the food for the dog, Pavlov noticed that the dog salivated upon hearing the sound of the door.
Dogs salivate automatically when they see food, but Pavlov’s dog had clearly made an association with the imminent arrival of food when the door was opened.
Pavlov decided to look at this association as his research.
When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
What did Pavlov also find out about the process?

A

Pavlov also found out several other points about the process:

  1. Stimulus generalisation
  2. Stimulus discrimination
  3. Time contiguity (temporal contiguity)
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23
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
1. Stimulus generalisation:
Pavlov found that if he varied the bell pitch and tone, what?

A

Pavlov found that if he varied the bell:
1. Pitch
2. Tone
,the dogs would still salivate

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24
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
1. Stimulus generalisation:
Pavlov found that if he varied the bell pitch and tone, the dogs would still salivate.
What did this mean?

A

This meant that:
1. If a stimulus has characteristics close to the conditioned stimulus
,then
2. The association would also be made to that new stimulus

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25
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
1. Stimulus generalisation:
Pavlov found that if he varied the bell pitch and tone, the dogs would still salivate.
This meant that if a stimulus has characteristics close to the conditioned stimulus, then the association would also be made to that new stimulus.
In the case of Watson and Rayner’s ‘Little Albert’ study, the little boy was not only frightened by the original white rat, but also what?

A

In the case of Watson and Rayner’s ‘Little Albert’ study, the little boy was not only frightened by:
1. The original white rat
,but also
2. Other small furry animals and white fluffy objects

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26
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
1. Stimulus generalisation:
Pavlov found that if he varied the bell pitch and tone, the dogs would still salivate.
This meant that if a stimulus has characteristics close to the conditioned stimulus, then the association would also be made to that new stimulus.
In the case of Watson and Rayner’s ‘Little Albert’ study, the little boy was not only frightened by the original white rat, but also other small furry animals and white fluffy objects.
What is this an example of?

A

This is an example of how the stimulus can be generalised to other similar things

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27
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
1. Stimulus generalisation:
Pavlov found that if he varied the bell pitch and tone, the dogs would still salivate.
This meant that if a stimulus has characteristics close to the conditioned stimulus, then the association would also be made to that new stimulus.
In the case of Watson and Rayner’s ‘Little Albert’ study, the little boy was not only frightened by the original white rat, but also other small furry animals and white fluffy objects.
This is an example of how the stimulus can be generalised to other similar things.
What is stimulus generalisation?

A

Stimulus generalisation is when a stimulus becomes generalised to other related stimuli that are also associated with the conditioned response

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28
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
2. Stimulus discrimination:
At some point, there has to be a cut-off point, where what?

A

At some point, there has to be a cut-off point, where:

  1. The association will not be made
  2. The stimulus generalisation will not occur
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29
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
2. Stimulus discrimination:
At some point, there has to be a cut-off point, where the association will not be made and the stimulus generalisation will not occur.
This is called stimulus discrimination and happens when what?

A

This:

  1. Is called stimulus discrimination
  2. Happens when the characteristics of the conditioned stimulus and an object become too different to be generalised
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30
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
2. Stimulus discrimination:
At some point, there has to be a cut-off point, where the association will not be made and the stimulus generalisation will not occur.
This is called stimulus discrimination and happens when the characteristics of the conditioned stimulus and an object become too different to be generalised.
Example

A

For example, Little Albert would not associate a big brown dog with fear, because, although it is an animal, it varies in:

  1. Size
  2. Colour
  3. Type
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31
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
2. Stimulus discrimination:
At some point, there has to be a cut-off point, where the association will not be made and the stimulus generalisation will not occur.
This is called stimulus discrimination and happens when the characteristics of the conditioned stimulus and an object become too different to be generalised.
For example, Little Albert would not associate a big brown dog with fear, because, although it is an animal, it varies in size, colour and type.
What is stimulus discrimination?

A

Stimulus discrimination is when a stimulus is not associated with the conditioned response, because it is too different from the original stimulus

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32
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
3. Time contiguity (temporal contiguity):
What did Pavlov find?

A
Pavlov found that the association only occurs if the unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus are presented:
1. At the same time
Or,
2. Around the same time
as each other
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33
Q

When dogs hear a bell, there is no reflex response (apart from maybe pricking up their ears), so Pavlov rang a bell whenever the dogs were given food.
The sound of the bell then became associated with the food.
This eventually meant that whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate, even if there was no food present.
Pavlov also found out several other points about the process - Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination and time contiguity (temporal contiguity).
3. Time contiguity (temporal contiguity):
Pavlov found that the association only occurs if the unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus are presented at the same time or around the same time
as each other.
What happens if the time lapse between presentations is too great?

A

If the time lapse between presentations is too great, then no association will be made

34
Q

Operant conditioning is another learning principle of the behaviourist approach.
It works on the principle of learning by consequence.
There are how many key ways this can occur?

A

There are 3 key ways this can occur:

  1. Positive reinforcement
  2. Negative reinforcement
  3. Punishment
35
Q

Operant conditioning is another learning principle of the behaviourist approach.
It works on the principle of learning by consequence.
There are 3 key ways this can occur - Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment.
What is operant conditioning?

A
Operant conditioning is learning due to the:
1. Positive
Or,
2. Negative
consequences of the behaviour
36
Q

Operant conditioning is another learning principle of the behaviourist approach.
It works on the principle of learning by consequence.
There are 3 key ways this can occur - Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment.
What is positive reinforcement?

A

Positive reinforcement is that a behaviour is more likely to reoccur, because of positive consequences

37
Q

Operant conditioning is another learning principle of the behaviourist approach.
It works on the principle of learning by consequence.
There are 3 key ways this can occur - Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment.
What is negative reinforcement?

A

Negative reinforcement is that a behaviour is more likely to reoccur, because of avoidance of negative consequences

38
Q

Operant conditioning is another learning principle of the behaviourist approach.
It works on the principle of learning by consequence.
There are 3 key ways this can occur - Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment.
What is punishment?

A

Punishment is that a behaviour is less likely to reoccur, because of negative consequences

39
Q

Operant conditioning is another learning principle of the behaviourist approach.
It works on the principle of learning by consequence.
There are 3 key ways this can occur - Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment.
To apply this to a school example of whether to complete a piece of homework or not:
1. The positive reinforcement would be teacher approval and praise and potential better grades.
2. The negative reinforcement would be avoiding the teacher’s anger, avoiding disapproval or disappointment from teachers and parents and avoiding sanctions, such as a detention.

What would both of these be more likely to make you do?

A

Both of these would be more likely to make you do the homework

40
Q

Operant conditioning is another learning principle of the behaviourist approach.
It works on the principle of learning by consequence.
There are 3 key ways this can occur - Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment.
To apply this to a school example of whether to complete a piece of homework or not:
1. The positive reinforcement would be teacher approval and praise and potential better grades.
2. The negative reinforcement would be avoiding the teacher’s anger, avoiding disapproval or disappointment from teachers and parents and avoiding sanctions, such as a detention.

Both of these would be more likely to make you do the homework.

However:
3. The punishment for not completing homework would be teacher’s anger, disapproval or disappointment from teachers and parents and sanctions, such as a detention.

What does this do?

A

This makes not doing the homework less likely

41
Q

Where is operant conditioning used widely in society?

A

Operant conditioning is used widely in society as a principle in:

  1. Schools
  2. Prisons
  3. The home
42
Q

The ‘Law of Effect’ was generated from work by Thorndike (1898) and underpinned the principles of operant conditioning.
Thorndike’s work observing how cats managed to escape a puzzle box where they were required to pull on a latch was pivotal in formulating operant conditioning.
The first time the cats were put in the box, it took them time to escape, as it happened by change, but once they had learned that they could escape by pulling the latch, they did so straight away in subsequent trials.
Why was this?

A

This was because pulling the latch was positively reinforced, as it led to them escaping

43
Q

The ‘Law of Effect’ was generated from work by Thorndike (1898) and underpinned the principles of operant conditioning.
Thorndike’s work observing how cats managed to escape a puzzle box where they were required to pull on a latch was pivotal in formulating operant conditioning.
The first time the cats were put in the box, it took them time to escape, as it happened by change, but once they had learned that they could escape by pulling the latch, they did so straight away in subsequent trials.
This was because pulling the latch was positively reinforced, as it led to them escaping.
There was also a fish within sight outside the box, which acted as further reward once they were out of the box.

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as what, but did conduct some experimentation on humans?

A

Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as:
1. Rats
2. Pigeons
,but did conduct some experimentation on humans

44
Q

Operant conditioning - What can have a significant impact on the strength and rate of the response?

A

When and how often we reinforce a behaviour can have a significant impact on the:
1. Strength
2. Rate
of the response

45
Q

How many types of reinforcement schedules are there?

A

There are 2 types of reinforcement schedules:

  1. Continuous reinforcement
  2. Partial reinforcement
46
Q

There are 2 types of reinforcement schedules - Continuous reinforcement and partial reinforcement.
1. Continuous reinforcement:
What happens in continuous reinforcement?

A

In continuous reinforcement, the desired behaviour is reinforced every single time it occurs

47
Q

There are 2 types of reinforcement schedules - Continuous reinforcement and partial reinforcement.
1. Continuous reinforcement:
In continuous reinforcement, the desired behaviour is reinforced every single time it occurs.
What may this result in?

A

This may result in a stronger response

48
Q

There are 2 types of reinforcement schedules - Continuous reinforcement and partial reinforcement.
2. Partial reinforcement:
What happens in partial reinforcement?

A

In partial reinforcement, the desired behaviour is reinforced only part of the time

49
Q

There are 2 types of reinforcement schedules - Continuous reinforcement and partial reinforcement.
2. Partial reinforcement:
In partial reinforcement, the desired behaviour is reinforced only part of the time.
What effect does this have?

A

This has a weaker effect

50
Q

Evaluation of the behaviourist approach:
For:
1. Behaviourists use scientific methods to investigate human behaviour and there is seen to be credibility in their methods.
Scientific - only studies observable and measurable behaviour, adopting on objective approach.
Thoughts and feelings are operationalised in terms of stimulus and response behaviours, allowing them to be quantified.
Also, easy to verify.

  1. Behaviourists’ ideas are used widely to help change behaviour that is seen to be negative and to encourage positive behaviour.
    For example, behaviour modification strategies used in prisons and schools.
  2. Behaviourism allows psychologists to investigate the effect of the environment on behaviour.
  3. Behaviourism is very scientific and usually uses controlled experimental methods.
  4. Behaviourism provides a strong counter-argument to the nature side of the nature-nurture debate.
  5. Behaviourism has many useful applications, such as treating phobias with sensitive desensitisation.
    Behaviourist principles have been successfully applied in the real world in therapies (token economy, aversion therapy and systematic desensitisation), as well as education and parenting (operant conditioning for behaviour management).

Against:
1. Behaviourists do not consider the influence of thought and cognitive processes, as they are not observable.

  1. Behaviourists do not argue that we have control over our own behaviour, which is deterministic.
    This means that there are ramifications for legislation, such as the idea of someone not being in control of their actions if they commit a crime.
  2. Any spontaneous behaviour that occurs in humans in not easily explained by the behaviourists’ principles of classical and operant conditioning.
  3. Behaviourists use animal research in their work and it is argued that this is not appropriate due to the differences in the complexity of human and animal behaviour.
    The opposing argument is that it is more ethical to test animals in this way than testing humans.
  4. Behaviourism is reductionist, as it ignores the influences of nature and cognition on behaviour.
  5. The use of behaviourism often relies on laboratory experiments that lack ecological validity.
  6. Ethical concerns may be raised.
  7. Many animal studies are used that open up the ethical debate/cause problems when generalising to humans.
  8. Nature vs nurture - only looks at environmental influences on behaviour, therefore ignores the role of nature.
    It also exaggerates the role of nurture as if everything was learned, then everyone could become a surgeon or an athlete, which is unrealistic as innate factors must surely play a role in shaping behaviour.
  9. Deterministic - believes that behaviour is shaped by external factors that an individual has no control over.
    It suggests that people do not make their own choices of how to behave and therefore ignores the idea of free will and gives a mechanistic view of behaviour.
  10. Generalisability - assumptions such as classical and operant conditioning were developed through research with animals.
    Limited generalisations possible as there is no guarantee that humans will behave in the same way.
    Animal experiments are viewed as unethical.
A

k

51
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment, meaning that a person has no identity until when?

A

Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment, meaning that a person has no identity until after birth

52
Q

Behaviourism - We are born as a tabula rasa (blank state).
Behaviour is learned from experience.
Everything we become is shaped by the process of learning from our environment, meaning that a person has no identity until after birth.
What is completely ignored (Watson)?

A

The influence of genetics on behaviour is completely ignored (Watson)

53
Q

Humans and animals learn in similar ways.

There are only what differences between humans and animals?

A

There are only quantitative differences between humans and animals

54
Q

Humans and animals learn in similar ways.

There are only quantitative differences between humans and animals (for example what)?

A

There are only quantitative differences between humans and animals (for example brain size)

55
Q

Humans and animals learn in similar ways.

There are only quantitative differences between humans and animals (for example brain size), therefore what?

A

There are only quantitative differences between humans and animals (for example brain size), therefore studying animals and applying it to humans is promoted

56
Q

Humans and animals learn in similar ways.
There are only quantitative differences between humans and animals (for example brain size), therefore studying animals and applying it to humans is promoted.
Example

A

For example, we can assume that if rats learn through positive reinforcement, then humans will, too (Skinner)

57
Q

Classical conditioning is learning by association.

If two stimuli are paired together on several occasions, what will a person/animal learn to do (Pavlov)?

A

If two stimuli are paired together on several occasions, a person/animal will learn to respond to the second stimulus alone as they originally did to the first stimulus (Pavlov)

58
Q

Application of the behaviourist approach:
Gambling:
Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning showed that if the pigeon was rewarded with a food pellet every time it pecked a disc,

A

Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning showed that if the pigeon was rewarded with a food pellet every time it pecked a disc, it would quickly become satiated (full), so would stop the conditioned behaviour

59
Q

Application of the behaviourist approach:
Gambling:
Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning showed that if the pigeon was rewarded with a food pellet every time it pecked a disc, it would quickly become satiated (full), so would stop the conditioned behaviour.
By introducing a what, thus making the reward unpredictable, the behaviour would be prolonged?

A

By introducing a variable ratio schedule, thus making the reward unpredictable, the behaviour would be prolonged

60
Q

Application of the behaviourist approach:
Gambling:
Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning showed that if the pigeon was rewarded with a food pellet every time it pecked a disc, it would quickly become satiated (full), so would stop the conditioned behaviour.
By introducing a variable ratio schedule, thus making the reward unpredictable, the behaviour would be prolonged.
This can be applied to human behaviours such as gambling, how?

A

This can be applied to human behaviours such as gambling, as the individual’s behaviour will be prolonged due to the unpredictability of the win

61
Q

Application of the behaviourist approach:
Gaming:
David Wong (2005)

A

David Wong (2005) in ‘5 creepy ways video games are trying to get you addicted’ applies Skinner’s principles to explain how video games use reinforcement contingencies and rewards for specific behaviours such as killing zombies or successfully completing a level

62
Q

Application of the behaviourist approach:
Gaming:
David Wong (2005) in ‘5 creepy ways video games are trying to get you addicted’ applies Skinner’s principles to explain how video games use reinforcement contingencies and rewards for specific behaviours such as killing zombies or successfully completing a level.
Arguably, what?

A

Arguably, using a joystick or games controller is comparable to the behaviour of the rat in Skinner’s box

63
Q

Application of the behaviourist approach:
Gaming:
David Wong (2005) in ‘5 creepy ways video games are trying to get you addicted’ applies Skinner’s principles to explain how video games use reinforcement contingencies and rewards for specific behaviours such as killing zombies or successfully completing a level.
Arguably, using a joystick or games controller is comparable to the behaviour of the rat in Skinner’s box.
What can negative reinforcement be said to apply to?

A

Negative reinforcement can be said to apply to games that encourage continued play by ‘blocking’ players if they leave the game early

64
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

What did Skinner’s box for rats contain?

A

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute

65
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that what?

A

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it

66
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
What were there also?

A

There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed

67
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as what in some of the trials?

A

There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials

68
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor

A

The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified

69
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that what?

A

The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required

70
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required.
What provided punishment to the rats?

A

The electric shock provided punishment to the rats

71
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required.
The electric shock provided punishment to the rats.
What would then be reinforced?

A

Actions to avoid the shocks would then be reinforced

72
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required.
The electric shock provided punishment to the rats.
Actions to avoid the shocks would then be reinforced, an example of what?

A

Actions to avoid the shocks would then be reinforced, an example of negative reinforcement

73
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required.
The electric shock provided punishment to the rats.
Actions to avoid the shocks would then be reinforced, an example of negative reinforcement.
Using the terms of operant conditioning in Skinner’s research, what can we say?

A

Using the terms of operant conditioning in Skinner’s research, we can say that:

  1. The pellet is the positive reinforcement
  2. The electrified floor is the punishment
  3. The negative reinforcement is the avoidance of the electrified floor or punishment
74
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required.
The electric shock provided punishment to the rats.
Actions to avoid the shocks would then be reinforced, an example of negative reinforcement.
Using the terms of operant conditioning in Skinner’s research, we can say that the pellet is the positive reinforcement, the electrified floor is the punishment and the negative reinforcement is the avoidance of the electrified floor or punishment.
What did Skinner observe?

A

Skinner observed that as soon as a rat learned that it would get a pellet when pressing the lever, it would keep doing so (as the behaviour was positively reinforced)

75
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required.
The electric shock provided punishment to the rats.
Actions to avoid the shocks would then be reinforced, an example of negative reinforcement.
Using the terms of operant conditioning in Skinner’s research, we can say that the pellet is the positive reinforcement, the electrified floor is the punishment and the negative reinforcement is the avoidance of the electrified floor or punishment.
Skinner observed that as soon as a rat learned that it would get a pellet when pressing the lever, it would keep doing so (as the behaviour was positively reinforced).
When then becomes a learned behaviour?

A

The pressing of the lever then becomes a learned behaviour

76
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required.
The electric shock provided punishment to the rats.
Actions to avoid the shocks would then be reinforced, an example of negative reinforcement.
Using the terms of operant conditioning in Skinner’s research, we can say that the pellet is the positive reinforcement, the electrified floor is the punishment and the negative reinforcement is the avoidance of the electrified floor or punishment.
Skinner observed that as soon as a rat learned that it would get a pellet when pressing the lever, it would keep doing so (as the behaviour was positively reinforced).
The pressing of the lever then becomes a learned behaviour, as what?

A

The pressing of the lever then becomes a learned behaviour, as the rat learns that it will be rewarded with a pellet every time it presses the lever

77
Q

Skinner was influenced by Thorndike’s work and was a major force in the behaviourism movement.
Skinner worked predominantly on animals such as rats and pigeons, but did conduct some experimentation on humans.

Skinner’s box for rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute, so that the rat could eat it.
There were also loudspeakers and lights that acted as visual and auditory signals when needed, which acted as cues in some of the trials.
The floor was metal and had the capacity to be electrified, so that an electric shock could be administered to the rat if the experiment so required.
The electric shock provided punishment to the rats.
Actions to avoid the shocks would then be reinforced, an example of negative reinforcement.
Using the terms of operant conditioning in Skinner’s research, we can say that the pellet is the positive reinforcement, the electrified floor is the punishment and the negative reinforcement is the avoidance of the electrified floor or punishment.
Skinner observed that as soon as a rat learned that it would get a pellet when pressing the lever, it would keep doing so (as the behaviour was positively reinforced).
The pressing of the lever then becomes a learned behaviour, as the rat learns that it will be rewarded with a pellet every time it presses the lever.
What is this called?

A

This is called continuous reinforcement

78
Q

Behaviourists reject what and focus on observable behaviour?

A

Behaviourists reject introspection and focus on observable behaviour

79
Q

Behaviourists reject introspection and focus on observable behaviour.
Is learning the same in all species?

A

Learning is the same in all species

80
Q

Both positive and negative reinforcement encourage behaviour, whereas what?

A

Both positive and negative reinforcement encourage behaviour, whereas punishment decreases the likelihood of behaviour

81
Q

What do learning theories include?

A

Learning theories include:

  1. Behaviourism (classical conditioning and operant conditioning)
  2. Social learning theory
82
Q

Learning theories include behaviourism (classical conditioning and operant conditioning) and social learning theory.
What is behaviourism?

A

Behaviourism is only classical conditioning and operant conditioning