Assumptions Flashcards
What does the term ‘Tabula Rasa’ refer to?
The idea that individuals are born ‘blank’ and shaped by their environment
This concept is central to behaviourism, emphasizing that nothing is innate.
What is the main argument of behaviourists regarding newborns?
Newborns are born almost completely neutral, with only basic responses
These responses include crying, pain, and hunger.
What is environmental determinism?
The view that social and environmental factors have the greatest influence on behaviour
This perspective suggests that innate and biological factors are less significant.
What does environmental determinism imply about free will?
People do not have free will over their own behaviour
Their behaviour is shaped by their environment and experiences.
What are the two types of conditioning mentioned?
Classical conditioning and operant conditioning
These are the primary methods through which behaviours are learned.
Define classical conditioning.
Learning that occurs when an association is made between a previously unlearned response and a neutral stimulus
Example: Heart rate increases when associating pencil tap with hopping.
Who was Ivan Pavlov?
The first person to investigate classical conditioning
He discovered it through experiments with dogs.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning through the consequences of behaviours
Behaviours can be reinforced or punished to shape future behavior.
What is a reinforcer?
Something that increases the chance of a behaviour occurring again
Reinforcement can be positive or negative.
What is positive reinforcement?
A process that increases the likelihood of a behaviour by providing a rewarding stimulus
Example: An animal receives food for pressing a lever.
What is negative reinforcement?
Strengthens behaviour by allowing escape from something unpleasant
Example: Completing homework to avoid teacher’s anger.
Who was B.F. Skinner?
A psychologist who showed that animals learn through reinforcement
His experiments involved using food pellets as positive reinforcers.
What similarity exists between human and animal learning?
Both learn in similar ways and are products of their environment
However, humans can learn more complex behaviours.
What is systematic desensitisation?
A therapy that uses classical conditioning principles to help clients associate phobic objects with relaxation
Developed from Pavlov’s work on conditioning.
What is a token economy system?
A system where desirable behaviour is reinforced with tokens that can be exchanged for rewards
Used in settings like schools and prisons.
What did Pavlov’s research on dogs demonstrate?
How dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell
This principle has been applied to explain human behaviour, including phobias.
