Approaches - Behaviourism & Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Assumptions of behaviourism

Answer 1

• Focus on behaviour that can be observed/measured
• Rejection of introspection since it was too vague

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

Learning by association

Question 3

Key study of classical conditioning

Answer 3

Pavlov & dogs
- Before conditioning: Food -> Salivation
- During conditioning: Bell + Food -> Salivation
- After conditioning: Bell -> Salivation

Question 4

Neutral stimulus

Answer 4

Elicits no response at first (Pavlov - Bell)

Question 5

Unconditioned stimulus

Answer 5

Leads to automatic response (Pavlov - Food)

Question 6

Unconditioned response

Answer 6

Automatic response to unconditioned stimulus (Pavlov - Salivation)

Question 7

Conditioned stimulus

Answer 7

Stimulus that triggers a conditioned response (Pavlov - Ringing the bell)

Question 8

Conditioned response

Answer 8

Learned response to (formerly) neutral stimulus (Pavlov - Salivation)

Question 9

Operant conditioning

Answer 9

Learning by consequences

Question 10

Positive reinforcement

Answer 10

Adding + stimulus to strengthen behaviour

Question 11

Negative reinforcement

Answer 11

Removes - stimulus to strengthen behaviour

Question 12

Positive punishment

Answer 12

Adding - stimulus to weaken behaviour

Question 13

Negative punishment

Answer 13

Removes + stimulus to weaken behaviour

Question 14

Key study of operant conditioning

Answer 14

Skinner’s box
- Positive reinforcement on rats by pressing lever to get food
- Negative reinforcement on rats by pressing level to remove electrification of floor

Question 15

Social Learning Theory

Answer 15

Learning by observation (Bandura)
- Behaviour MODELLED by role model
- IDENTIFY with role model
- OBSERVE behaviour (attention, retention, reproduction, motivation)
- IMITATE the behaviour

Question 16

Vicarious reinforcement (Bandura)

Answer 16

Learning by observing the way others are reinforced/punished

Question 17

Strengths of behaviourist approach

Answer 17

• Scientific credibility (uses scientific research methods -> controls for effects of confounding & extraneous variables)

Question 18

Limitations of behaviourist approach

Answer 18

• Machine reductionism (overlook consciousness & subjective experiences & that humans are passive responders to their environment)

Question 19

Strength of SLT

Answer 19

• Explains cultural difference (accounts for learning cultural norms through media & society around them & explain differences as if beh. is not displayed, it cannot be imitated)

Question 20

Limitation of SLT

Answer 20

• Reductionist (Bobo doll study found boys to be more aggressive -> biological factors such as hormones but are not accounted for in the SLT explanation)