Approaches : Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
what is Behaviourist approach?
The behaviourist approach is one of the most influential approaches in modern psychology. The behaviourist approach has many key assumptions, including:
1. Psychologists should only study observable, quantifiable behaviour.
2. All behaviour is learned.
3. Humans are no different from animals and should not be regarded as more complex.
4. Research on animal behaviour is directly relevant to humans.
What is classical conditioning?
Pavlov developed the theory of classical conditioning which is a type of learning in which an existing involuntary reflex is associated
with a new stimulus
How did Ivan Pavlov test for classical conditioning?
He famously tested his theory
using dogs, who were conditioned to associate the
sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) with food
(unconditioned stimulus). This resulted in the dogs
producing a salivation response (conditioned
response) at the sound of a bell (conditioned
stimulus), even when no food was present.
Pavlov demonstrated that repeated exposure to an event
leads to a learned and uncontrollable behaviour.
This process can be used to explain the acquisition
of phobias and the development of attachment.
Types of reinforcement that will affect behaviour?
Skinner conducted research into his operant conditioning theory using rats.
He found that three types of reinforcement will affect behaviour:
1) positive reinforcement – when a behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence (reward) and is more likely to be repeated;
2) negative reinforcement – when a behaviour is followed by the removal of an adverse consequence and is more likely to be repeated;
3) punishment – when a behaviour is followed by an unpleasant consequence and is less likely to be repeated.
What was the skinner box?
Skinner created the Skinner box to examine operant conditioning in rats and pigeons. The animal would move around the cage, and when it pressed the lever (by accident), it would be rewarded with a food
pellet.
The animal would learn, through positive reinforcement, that each time it pressed the lever, it would be rewarded with food. It, therefore, learnt a new voluntary behaviour which is repeated to receive
the reward again.
Evaluation of the Behaviourist approach?
- The behaviourists were influential in encouraging the use of animals as research subjects. They
believed that the learning processes in humans and animals are very similar; consequently, Pavlov
conducted research using dogs, and Skinner used rats and pigeons. - Using non-human animals in
research gives experimenters more control over the process, without demand characteristics or
individual differences influencing findings. - However, many consider using animals in experiments to be unethical as there is less concern about protection from harm for non-human subjects.
- Furthermore, some argue that findings from animal experiments are not generalisable to human behaviour: Skinner’s operant conditioning theory may provide an understanding of rat behaviour, but little about human
behaviour.
-According to behaviourists, this emphasis on the scientific method has led to an increasingly valid and reliable understanding of human behaviour. These methods have also helped psychology gain credibility and status as a scientific discipline, which in turn attracts more funding and research opportunities
criticism for behaviourist approach?
The behaviourist approach has been criticised for its limited view regarding the origins of behaviour.
Behaviourists ignore alternative levels of explanation including the role of cognition and emotional
factors in influencing behaviour. Skinner countered this argument, however, stating that for behaviour
to be investigated scientifically, it had to be directly measurable and observable, which cognitions are
not. Further to this, he said that even the most complex of human interactions could be explained
using operant conditioning principles of learning by the consequences of our actions to either repeat or
cease the behaviour.
what is Social learning theory?
Social learning theory (SLT) rests on the idea of observational learning: that learning occurs through the
observation and imitation of behaviour performed by role models, who model behaviour in a social
environment.
What is identification?
m. Identification involves associating with the qualities, characteristics and views of role models, to become more like that person. There is evidence, from Shutts et al., 2010, to suggest that for children, the age and gender similarity to models is an important determinant of imitation.
How is SLT defined? (Meditational Processes)
SLT is defined by four distinct mediational, or mental, processes: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. If these factors are implemented, imitation (i.e. copying of what has been observed) can take place; if the observed behaviour is rewarded, imitation is more likely. This learning from the observation of others is what Bandura called vicarious reinforcement.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
If these factors are implemented, imitation (i.e. copying of what has been observed) can take
place; if the observed behaviour is rewarded, imitation is more likely. This learning from the observation of
others is what Bandura called vicarious reinforcement.
What is the bobo doll experiment?
Aim: To investigate whether aggression can be learned through social learning theory principles.
method of bobo doll experiement?
Method: 72 children (36 male and 36 female) aged between 3 and 6 years old were put into one of three
groups for 10 minutes:
1) Aggressive model – the child played in a room while an adult hit and shouted at a “Bobo doll”: a plastic
inflatable toy doll which was heavy at the bottom and wobbled when hit. This group was further subdivided by the gender of the child and the adult model, creating four conditions (see below).
2) Non-aggressive model – the child played in a room while an adult played quietly with a construction set.
This group was further sub-divided once again by the gender of the child and the adult model, creating
another four conditions (see below).
3) Control group – the child did not see a model.
The children were deliberately frustrated by being taken into another room where they were told that they
could not play with any toys. Then, they were placed alone in a room with a range of aggressive toys
(mallet, gun) and non-aggressive toys (dolls, crayons) and the Bobo doll for twenty minutes whilst being
observed.
Results and conclusion of bobo doll?
Results: Children who saw the aggressive model produced more aggressive acts than those in either of the
other two groups. Boys imitated same-sex models more than girls. Girls imitated more physical aggression
if they saw male models, and more verbal aggression if they saw female models.
Conclusion: Aggressive behaviour can be learned, in children, through observation and imitation of a
model.
What is strength of an evaluation of Social Learning Theory?
A strength of SLT is its application to real-world issues. It has long been a feature in explanations of
criminal behaviour (Sykes and Matza, 1957) and recent research has continued that focus (Akers,
1998). It has also been used to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of advertising: Andsager et al.
(2006) found that ‘identification with a character or example may increase the likelihood that
audiences will model behaviour presented in an anti-alcohol message’. Consequently, the principles of
SLT can be used to provide a positive impact on promotional health campaigns, and indirectly help
combat problem behaviours like alcoholism.
