Approaches - The Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
What are the 4 assumptions of the behaviourist approach?
- we are born a blank slate (tabula rasa)
- all behaviour is learnt through experience and from our environment
- focused on observable behaviour
- argue that psychology should be scientific
What is classical conditioning?
Pavlov - learning through the association of two stimuli repeatedly paired together
What was Pavlovs study?
Food = unconditioned stimulus led to salivation = unconditioned response
He paired the food (UCS) with a bell = neutral stimulus with led to salivation (UCR)
What is operant conditioning?
Skinner - learning through consequences
What was Skinners experiment?
He places animals inside a box where they could press a level to receive a reward or avoid punishment. It demonstrated that behaviour could be shaped via consequences.
What is positive reinforcement?
Giving something pleasurable in response to a behaviour.
What is punishment?
Consequences after doing something you’re not supposed to.
What is negative reinforcement?
Removing something nasty or uncomfortable in response to a behaviour.
