Approaches- The Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
What is behaviourism also known as?
Learning theory
What are the main assumptions in behaviourism?
Nearly all behaviour is learnt, animals and humans learn in the same way and the ‘mind’ is irrelevant
How are research methods designed from the assumption that nearly all behaviour is learnt?
Understanding the principles of learning is the main research goal
How are research methods designed from the assumption that animals and humans learn in the same ways?
Animals can be used for research experiments
How are research methods designed from the assumption that the ‘mind’ is irrelevant?
Behaviourists only observe quantifiable behaviour so typical research involves lab experiments on animals
What did Pavlov study?
Classical conditioning with dogs
What are the three formulas for classical conditioning?
Unconditioned stimulus (food) —> unconditioned response (salivation)
Unconditioned stimulus (food) + neutral stimulus (bell) —> unconditioned response (salivation)
Conditioned stimulus (bell) —> conditioned response (salivation)
What is generalisation?
When stimuli similar to the original CS produce the CR
What is discrimination?
When stimuli similar to the original CS don’t produce the CR which can be achieved by withholding the UCS
What is extinction?
When the CR isn’t produced as a result of the CS which happens when the CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS following it
What is spontaneous recovery?
When a previously extinct CR is produced in response to the CS which happens when the CS is presented again after a period of time which it’s not been used
What is higher order conditioning?
When a new CS produces the CR because it is associated with the original CS
What is involved in operant conditioning?
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment
What is positive reinforcement?
When something desirable is obtained in response to doing something
What is negative reinforcement?
When something undesirable is removed when something happens
