APPROACHES: The Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is the Behaviourist Approach?

Answer 1

The behaviourist approach suggests that the environment determines behaviour, so all behaviours are learnt through experience.

Question 2

what does the behaviourist approach focus on?

Answer 2

It focuses on external and observable behaviours that can be measured, so that behaviour can be explained.

Question 3

what did Pavlov research in 1927?

Answer 3

Classical conditioning

Question 4

what is classical conditioning?

Answer 4

Learning through association- when a neutral stimulus is associated with a normal stimulus.

Question 5

UCS

Answer 5

unconditioned stimulus

Question 6

UCR

Answer 6

unconditioned response

Question 7

CS

Answer 7

conditioned stimulus

Question 8

CR

Answer 8

conditione response

Question 9

NS

Answer 9

neutral stimulus

Question 10

What did Skinner research in 1953?

Answer 10

Operant Conditioning

Question 11

what is operant conditioning?

Answer 11

when behaviour is shaped by its consequences such as reinforcement or punishment

Question 12

what is Positive Reinforcement?

Answer 12

receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed.

Question 13

what is Negative Reinforcement?

Answer 13

behaviour is followed by the removal of aversive or unpleasant stimulus. occurs when a human/animal avoids something unpleasant. the outcome is positive.

Question 14

what is punishment?

Answer 14

an unpleasant consequence of behaviour- when behaviour is followed by an aversive or unpleasant stimulus.

Question 15

POSITIVE + NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT …

Answer 15

increases the likelihood that a behaviour would be repeated.

Question 16

PUNISHMENT…

Answer 16

decreases the likelihood that a behaviour would be repeated.

Question 17

what are the STRENGTHS of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 17

SCIENTIFIC CREDIBILITY:
-it is based on well controlled research
behaviour was broken down into basic stimulus-response units, allowing cause-and-effect relationships to be established.
e.g Skinner was able to clearly demonstrate how reinforcement influenced an animal’s behaviour. (Skinner box)

REAL-WORLD APPLICATION:
-applied to real life behaviour and problems
eg operant conditionings have been used in institutions such as prisons and psychiatric awards (rewarding people with appropriate rewards)
- increases value of behaviourist approach because it has widespread application.

Question 18

what are the LIMITATIONS of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 18

• learning behaviour is more complex than observable behaviour alone, private mental processes are important.

DETERMINISTIC:
- operant conditioning sees that all behaviour is determined by past experiences that have been conditioned. ignores free will. Skinner says free will is just an illusion.

ETHICS:
- much evidence has used animals which have not given consent

VALIDITY:
-much evidence has used animals (who are different to us)