Behaviourism

Question 1

What are the 3 assumptions of behaviourism?

Answer 1

• All behaviour is learned
• What has been learned can be unlearned
• Abnormal behaviour is learned in the same way as normal behaviour

Question 2

What do behaviourists suggest that is the same in all species?

Answer 2

The basic processes that govern learning

Question 3

Behaviourist approach

Answer 3

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.

Question 4

Classical conditioning

Answer 4

Learning by association or stimulus-response learning.
Occurs when 2 stimuli are repeatedly paired together - an unconditioned stimulus and a new ‘neutral’ stimulus.
The neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response elicited by the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 5

Operant conditioning

Answer 5

A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by it’s consequences.

Question 6

Reinforcement

Answer 6

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated.

Question 7

Positive reinforcement

Answer 7

The introduction of a pleasant stimulus into a situation which acts as a reward/ reinforcement and makes behaviour more likely to be repeated.

Question 8

Negative reinforcement

Answer 8

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus from a situation which acts as a reward/reinforcement and makes behaviour more likely to be repeated.

Question 9

Punishment

Answer 9

A consequence of behaviour that decreases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated

Question 10

Positive punishment

Answer 10

The introduction of an unpleasant stimulus into a situation which acts as a punishment and makes behaviour less likely to be repeated

Question 11

Negative punishment

Answer 11

The removal of a pleasant stimulus from a situation which acts as a punishment and makes behaviour less likely to be repeated

Question 12

What are the two forms of learning in behaviourism?

Answer 12

• Classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning

Question 13

Skinner box

Answer 13

An enclosed ‘cage’ that contains a bar that an animal can press in order to obtain food or water from a dispenser as a type of reinforcement.

Question 14

Token Economy system

Answer 14

This is a system of behaviour modification which is based on the principles of operant conditioning. It is often used in prisons and psychiatric hospitals. This system involves giving inmates/patients tokens for good behaviour, which can be exchanged for a privilege or reward.

Question 15

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

Answer 15

A naturally occurring event in the environment, often associated with a reflex action.

Question 16

What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?

Answer 16

An involuntary, automatic response to the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 17

What is a neutral stimulus (NS)?

Answer 17

A new stimulus which at first produces no particular response.

Question 18

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

Answer 18

The name given to the neutral stimulus after being paired continuously with the unconditioned stimulus during learning or conditioning.

Question 19

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

Answer 19

The same behavioural response as the UCR which is now produced because of the conditioned stimulus because of learning through classical conditioning.

Question 20

What are some experiments on classical conditioning?

Answer 20

• Pavlov’s dogs
• ‘Little Albert’ (case study)

Question 21

Who did experiments on operant conditioning?

Answer 21

B.F. Skinner

Question 22

Who did experiments on classical conditioning?

Answer 22

• Pavlov
• Watson (and Raynor - little albert experiment)

Question 23

What are the strengths of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 23

• It gave psychology scientific credibility - focuses on measuring observable behaviour in controlled lab settings.
• The laws of learning have real-life applications - used in a range of real-life behaviours and problems. eg: in token economy systems.

Question 24

What are the limitations of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 24

• It’s a form of environmental determinism - it ignores any influence of free will on behaviour and says past conditioning determines the outcome of our decisions.
• The animal research has ethical and practical issues - even though things like skinners box maintained a high degree of control, the animals were exposed to to stressful and aversive conditions which can affect there behaviour (lowers validity and generalisability).