Approaches - behaviourist approach

Question 1

behaviourist approach

Answer 1

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

Question 2

classical conditioning

Answer 2

a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.

Question 3

operant conditioning

Answer 3

the learning of behaviour through the effects of pleasant and unpleasant consequences to responses

Question 4

reinforcement

Answer 4

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behaviour it follows

Question 5

punishment

Answer 5

an event that decreases the behaviour that it follows

Question 6

stimulus

Answer 6

any event or situation that evokes a response

Question 7

response

Answer 7

a reaction to a stimulus

Question 8

what are the key assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 8

• behaviour is learned from experience
• only observable behaviour should be studied
• it’s valid to study animal behaviour
• people are born a ‘tabula rosa’ meaning blank slate

Question 9

who experimented with classical conditioning and what was the test/evidence?

Answer 9

Pavlov’s dog. conditioned a dog to drool at sound of bell.

Question 10

who experimented with operant conditioning and what was the test/evidence?

Answer 10

Skinner’s rat. a hungry rat is in a box. when it pushes a lever it gets food which is positive reinforcement. when it pushes the lever it stops getting an electric shock which is negative reinforcement (1938)