Approaches: Behaviourist And Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What is behaviourist ?

Answer 1

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

Question 2

What is classical conditioning ?

Answer 2

Learning by association. This occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together- an unconditioned stimulus and a new neutral stimulus. The neutral stimulus eventually will produce the same response that was first produced by unconditioned stimulus alone

Question 3

What is operant conditioning ?

Answer 3

A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences . Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement

Question 4

What is reinforcement?

Answer 4

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated, it can be positive or negative

Question 5

What are the assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Answer 5

All behaviour is learned from experience and this learning occurs through classical and operant conditioning

Only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and measured

Uses lab experiments

Basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species- human -> animals in testing

Question 6

Pavlov’s experiment

Answer 6

Dog conditioned to salivate To sound of bell
Sound repeatedly present when they were given food

Dogs learnt to associate sound of bell with food

Question 7

What did pavlovs study show

Answer 7

A neutral stimulus can elicit a conditioned response through association

Question 8

Define unconditioned stimulus

Answer 8

Stimulus that causes the reflex response before conditioning. Naturally produces response

Question 9

Define the unconditioned response

Answer 9

The innate response to a stimulus that has to be conditioned

Question 10

Define neutral stimulus

Answer 10

A stimulus that does not produce a response by itself

Question 11

Define conditioned stimulus

Answer 11

Intillay the neutral stimulus but after repeated pairings with the UCS produces the CR when presented by itself

Question 12

Define conditioned response

Answer 12

Reflexive response that occurs after exposure to the conditioned stimulus

As a result of learning

Question 13

Example

Answer 13

Perfume (ucs) creates response of happiness and desire (ucr)
A person (ns) by itself doesn’t produce a response
Perfume (ucs) might be associated with the person (cs)
The person (cs) who has been associated with perfume (ucs) is now found attractive (cr)

Question 14

What is operant conditioning ?

Answer 14

Learning through reinforcement

Question 15

What did skinner suggest ?

Answer 15

Learning is active process
WHERE BY
Humans and animals operate on their environment

Question 16

What are the three types of consequences for behaviour

Answer 16

Learning is active process
WHERE BY
Humans and animals operate on their environment

Question 17

What is not a type of reinforcement ?

Answer 17

Punishment - consequence of Behaviour

Question 18

Outline skinners experiment into operant conditioning

Answer 18

Conducted experiment wit rats and pigeons using a box called the Skinner box

Positive reinforcement - rewarding rat with food pellet every time they pressed a lever
After repetitions
Rat would continue pressing the lever expecting food

Negative reinforcement - electrocuting the floor until the lever was pressed
\After many repetitions
Rat would continue to Presse lever to avoid unpleasant stimulus

Question 19

Strength of behaviourism (scientific)

Answer 19

Has scientific credibility

Brought language and methods of natural sciences t psychology and

This was done by focusing on the measurement
of observable behaviour in a controlled lab setting
So Research could be objective

Hugely influential in development of psychology as a scientific discipline

Question 20

Strength of behaviourism (real life)

Answer 20

Real life application

Token economy systems have been used successfully in prisons
Modifies prisoner behaviours

Shows how rewarding it is too see behaviour
change through operant conditioning
Treatments like these

Advantage - suitable for individuals who may lack insight into their condition
Requires less effort for patient

Question 21

What is a limitation of behaviourism

Answer 21

Highly deterministic
Suggests all actions determined by past behaviours that have been conditioned.

Ignores possible influence that free will may have on. Behaviour

Problematic as it suggest people not responsible for their behaviours

Question 22

What. Is another limitation of behaviourism ?

Answer 22

Ethical issues using animals in research

Skinner exposed animals to stressful conditions by giving them shots.
No protection fro harm
Against ethical guidelines

Harm may not be necessary as psychologist would argue that we cannot generalise findings from animal research as humans may respond to conditioning differently