Approaches: Behaviourist And Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is behaviourist ?
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
What is classical conditioning ?
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
What is operant conditioning ?
A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences . Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
What is reinforcement?
A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated, it can be positive or negative
What are the assumptions of the behaviourist approach
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
Pavlov’s experiment
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
What did pavlovs study show
A neutral stimulus can elicit a conditioned response through association
Define unconditioned stimulus
Stimulus that causes the reflex response before conditioning. Naturally produces response
Define the unconditioned response
The innate response to a stimulus that has to be conditioned
Define neutral stimulus
A stimulus that does not produce a response by itself
Define conditioned stimulus
Intillay the neutral stimulus but after repeated pairings with the UCS produces the CR when presented by itself
Define conditioned response
Reflexive response that occurs after exposure to the conditioned stimulus
As a result of learning
Example
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)
What is operant conditioning ?
Learning through reinforcement
What did skinner suggest ?
Learning is active process
WHERE BY
Humans and animals operate on their environment
What are the three types of consequences for behaviour
Learning is active process
WHERE BY
Humans and animals operate on their environment
What is not a type of reinforcement ?
Punishment - consequence of Behaviour
Outline skinners experiment into operant conditioning
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
Strength of behaviourism (scientific)
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
Strength of behaviourism (real life)
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
What is a limitation of behaviourism
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
What. Is another limitation of behaviourism ?
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
