Behaviorist Approach Flashcards
Who founded classical conditioning?
It was founded by Ivan Pavlov.
Who founded operant conditioning?
It was founded by Skinner.
What do behaviourists believe?
Behaviourists believe that all behaviour is learnt and that therefore nothing is innate (genetic).
What are normal and pathological behaviour a result of?
They are a result of maladaptive learning.
What is classical conditioning learning via?
Classical conditioning is learning via association
Pavlov’s research
- Pavlov conditioned a dog to salivate to the sound of the bell
- He paired the ringing of the bell with food
- The dog learns to associate the ringing of the bell with incoming food
- A reflex action then becomes a conditioned response
Why is time an important factor?
If the NS is not introduced immediately before the UCS or if the time is too long between the two, conditioning will not occur.
What is stimulus generalisation?
Pavlov found that if he varies the tone and pitch of the bell, the dog would still salivate.
What is operant conditioning learning via?
Operant conditioning is learning through reinforcement.
stimulus discrimination
Pavlov found that if too many changes were made, the dog wouldn’t salivate
What was Skinner’s research?
Skinner developed a special cage called ‘Skinner’s box’ in order to investigate operant conditioning in rats. The rat moves around the cage and when it accidentally presses the lever, a hungry rat begins pressing the lever in order to obtain food. if the food pellets stop, the rat presses the lever a few more times and then abandons it.
When did Social Learning Theory (SLT) emerge and who was it the work of?
Social Learning theory emerged in the 1960s and was work of Albert Bandura .
Why is SLT a nurture model?
It is a nurture model because it believes that everything is learn’t and nothing is innate.
when was skinner box test done?
1953
What is positive reinforcement?
Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed
What is negative reinforcement?
taking away something bad to increase a behavior
Weakness of the behaviorist approach (generalizable)
Research mainly done with animals so not generalizable to humans
Strength of the behaviorist approach (lots of evidence)
The behaviorist approach is backed up by lots of evidence like little Albert, Skinner Box test and Pavlov’s dogs
Ethical and practical issues in animal experiments
Experimental procedures enabled behaviourists to maintain a high degree of control over their experimental subjects
Animals exposed to stressful and aversive conditions - may have affected reaction to experimental situation
How does extinction occur?
Pavlov also found that the conditioned response was not permanent and over time, if no food (UCS) is given, the conditioned response of saliva will eventually cease to occur (extinction).
How does spontaneous recovery occur?
When the conditioned stimulus (food) and unconditioned stimulus are paired once again, the link between the two and the conditioned response is re-established again faster than initially made.
How do Children learn through SLT?
Children learn through modelling, meaning that they select an appropriate modelling and find it rewarding to copy their behaviour.
What is identification?
It is a form of influence in which an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a person or a group.
What is imitation?
The action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour.
