Approaches: Behaviourism Flashcards

1
Q

what are the assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

A

it’s only interesting in study observable and measurable behaviours. they try to maintain control and objectivity and rely on lab experiments. behaviour is acquired through classical and maintained for operant conditioning. the basis laws of behaviour are the same across all species.

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2
Q

what’s classical conditioning?

A

learning through association.
UCS -> UCR
NS + UCS -> UCR
CS -> CR

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3
Q

what’s Pavlov’s study on classical conditioning?

A

he revealed dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell if the sound is repeatedly present whenever they get food. they associated the sound of the bell with the food and would produce salivation response.

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4
Q

what’s operant conditioning?

A

skinner suggested learning is an active process where humans operate on their environment. positive reinforcement = receiving a reward when a behaviour is performed. negative reinforcement = a person avoids something unpleasant so feel the reward of not experiencing unpleasantness. punishment = consequences of a behaviour. reinforcement increases likelihood of behaviour repeating.

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5
Q

what’s scientific credibility for the behaviourist approach? (A03)

A

behaviourism was able to be the language and methods of natural science into psychology by focusing on the measurement of observable behaviour within highly controlled lab settings. by emphasising importance of objectivity and replication, it’s influenctial in development of psychology as a science.

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6
Q

what’s real-life application of behaviourist approach? (A03)

A

operant conditioning is the basis of token economy systems that are used successfully in prisons and psychiatric hospitals. these work by rewarding good behaviour with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges. treatment like this is less effort for the patient as they don’t have to think about their problems. these therapies are suitable for patients who lack insight.

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7
Q

what’s the mechanistic view of the behaviourist approach? (A03)

A

from a behaviourist perspective, animals are passive, machine-like responders to the environment with little conscious insight to their behaviour. other approaches emphasise the importance of mental events during learning. these processes suggets people play a more active role in their own learning. this means behaviourist approach applies less to human.

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