approaches Flashcards
behaviourist approach
The behaviourist approach rejected the vagueness of introspection, Argued that Psychologists need to focus on observable events as opposed to internal events like thinking and emotion. This is because observable (i.e. external) behaviour can be objectively and scientifically measured. The approach focuses on learning – sometimes called learning theory rather than behaviourism.
Classical conditioning
Classical conditioning = learning by association. e.g. learnt food aversions, fire alarm going off
Pavlov’s dogs
Pavlov showed that dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time that they were given food. First the dogs were presented with the food, they salivated. The food was the unconditioned stimulus and salivation was an unconditioned (innate) response. Then Pavlov sounded the bell (neutral stimulus) before giving the food. After a few pairings the dogs salivated when they heard the bell even when no food was given. The bell had become the conditioned stimulus and salivation had become the conditioned response. The dogs had learnt to associate the bell with the food and the sound of the bell and salivation was triggered by the sound of the bell.
Operant conditioning
Learning by reward, If you get rewarded for a behaviour you are more likely to repeat the behaviour.
positive reinforcement (skinner’s rats)
Animal is placed in cage, if animal presses a lever food is delivered
Animal presses lever accidentally & is rewarded by food
This reward increases likelihood that the behaviour (lever pressing) will be repeated.
negative reinforcement (skinner’s rats)
Animal is placed in cage with an electric shock running through the floor of the cage. The rat learnt to press the lever to in order to stop the shock.
Behaviourist approach
Most research has been carried out on animals. Why is this a weakness?
Most of the research is carried out on animals so may not generalise to humans. This is because humans have much higher cognitive functioning and are therefore much more active in their learning
However, animal studies can be a useful pointer in understanding human behaviour, but we should always seek to replicate research in humans.
behaviourist approach
How is this theory reductionist?
The behaviourist theory is reductionist as it reduces human behaviour to learning through rewards and associations.
There are other approaches that can explain behaviour eg cognitive approach which argue that there are actually complicated thought processes behind our learning
Therefore, the behaviourist approach oversimplifies behaviour.
Behaviourist approach
Why is this theory deterministic?
The theory is deterministic as Skinner argues our past conditioning experiences will produce behaviour. This does not allow for any free will we may have over our behaviour. Eg someone may be rewarded for a behaviour but they have the freewill NOT to repeat it.
Behaviourist approach
What kind of research method have these researchers used and why is that a strength?
Behaviourism increased the scientific credibility of psychology by using lab experiments..
And focusing on observable behaviour in highly controlled environments. This allows us to show causal relationships and predict future behaviour. Therefore the theory of behaviourism is based on empirical data & is falsifiable.
Social Learning Theory
Although it is possible to learn behaviour through CC & OC, SLT argues that observational learning is also important. In order for SLT to take place we must imitate the behaviour of ‘models’. Models can be live such as parents or peers or symbolic for example media characters. Behaviour is learnt faster through imitation than through conditioning
SLT - Imitation
Behaviour is more likely to be imitated if: we identify with the model e.g. same sex, age etc. we believe we have the ability to reproduce the same behaviour (self efficacy) there are positive consequences for the behaviour.
SLT - Vicarious reinforcement:
Occurs when we see another person (the ‘model’) rewarded for certain actions. We think that if we copy the behaviour, we can receive the same reward.
Mediational Processes of Social Learning
There are 4 component processes:
Attention: Individuals need to perceive and attend to significant features of modelled behaviour.
Retention: In order to reproduce modelled behaviour, the individuals must code the information into long-term memory.
Motor reproduction: Observer must be able to reproduce model’s behaviour
Motivation: In this process, the observer expects to receive positive reinforcements for modelled behaviour (so they want to copy)
bobo doll study - procedure
Used 72 children, ½ boys ½ girls (4 years). 3 conditions matched on initial aggression: Aggressive model: watched adult hitting Bobo doll with hammer & punching, saying pow & boom. Non-aggressive model: shown a non-aggressive model who played quietly in corner of the room. No model: control group
Bobo doll study - findings
When children in aggressive group were left in playroom with doll & observed through one- way mirror for 20 minutes, they frequently imitated the same acts of aggression. About 1/3 also copied the model’s verbal responses, The other 2 groups showed very little aggression.
AO3: bobo doll study - It was carried out in lab conditions, why is this a problem.
This is a lab experiment so therefore lacks ecological validity and does not represent real life aggression. In research like the Bobo doll study, children may have just been responding to demand characteristics. One psychologist pointed out “where else in life does a child find a powerful adult actually showing you how to knock hell out of a dummy and then give you the chance to try it out for yourself?” Therefore this study may not be valid support for SLT.
Why do you think SLT may give a more comprehensive explanation of behaviour than OC & CC?
Neither CC nor OC can offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store behaviour of others and use it to guide their own behaviour. Therefore SLT is a more comprehensive explanation of behaviour by recognising the cognitive mediational processes, Meaning the SLT is less reductionist than OC & CC.
What real life behaviour do you think SLT is particularly valid for explaining?
Real life application: SLT is good at explaining criminal behaviour. In a review of literature, Ulrich (2003) found that the strongest cause of violent behaviour in adolescents was when it was modelled and rewarded. Therefore SLT could be used as a basis of campaigns for reducing violence eg the 9pm watershed was introduced to ensure that young children were not exposed to violent TV programmes. Age classifications were also added to films & computer games, This shows that SLT has positive implications in trying to reduce aggressive behaviour
Why is SLT theory reductionist?
SLT is reductionist as it reduces behaviour to environmental factors (nurture) and doesn’t take into account biological factors (nature). It argues that aggression is only learnt through imitation. One consistent finding in the Bobo Doll study was that boys were more aggressive than girls. This can be explained by hormonal differences eg testosterone levels. Therefore, SLT oversimplifies behaviour.
