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A Level Psychology > behaviourism > Flashcards

behaviourism Flashcards

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1
Q

What is behaviourism also known as?

A

Learning Theory.

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2
Q

Who started behaviourism in the early 1900s?

A

John Watson.

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3
Q

Why did Watson believe earlier psychological research wasn’t scientific?

A

Because introspection couldn’t be verified as true or false.

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4
Q

What are the three main assumptions of behaviourism?

A
  1. Nearly all behaviour is learnt. 2. Animals and humans learn in the same ways. 3. The ‘mind’ is irrelevant.
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5
Q

What is the role of genetics according to behaviourism?

A

Behaviourism focuses on learning, not genetics, though some genetic causes may exist.

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6
Q

How do animals and humans learn according to behaviourism?

A

Through stimulus-response associations and reinforcement.

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7
Q

What is meant by ‘the mind is irrelevant’ in behaviourism?

A

Behaviourists focus only on observable and measurable behaviour.

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8
Q

What are the two types of conditioning proposed by behaviourists?

A

Classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

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9
Q

Who discovered classical conditioning?

A

Ivan Pavlov.

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10
Q

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in classical conditioning?

A

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response, e.g., food causing salivation.

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11
Q

What is a conditioned response (CR) in classical conditioning?

A

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus, e.g., salivation to a bell.

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12
Q

What is positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?

A

Adding something desirable to increase behaviour, e.g., giving a reward.

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13
Q

What is negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?

A

Removing something undesirable to increase behaviour, e.g., stopping a shock.

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14
Q

What was the aim of Skinner’s 1938 experiment?

A

To study how rats learn through operant conditioning.

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15
Q

What device did Skinner use in his experiments?

A

A Skinner box.

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16
Q

What was the conclusion of Skinner’s operant conditioning experiment?

A

Rats learn to press a lever through reinforcement of food rewards.

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17
Q

What ethical concerns are associated with Watson and Rayner’s ‘Little Albert’ study?

A

The study was unethical as it caused distress and couldn’t be repeated today.

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18
Q

What did the ‘Little Albert’ study demonstrate?

A

Fear responses could be conditioned in humans.

19
Q

What are some weaknesses of behaviourism?

A

Focus on animals makes generalisation difficult; ignores genetics and mental processes.

20
Q

What are some strengths of behaviourism?

A

Scientific methods, focus on observable behaviour, and practical applications like therapy.

21
Q

What is generalisation in classical conditioning?

A

A CR is produced in response to stimuli similar to the CS.

22
Q

What is discrimination in classical conditioning?

A

A CR is not produced in response to stimuli different from the CS.

23
Q

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

A

A CR is weakened when the CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS.

24
Q

What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?

A

The reappearance of a CR after a period without the CS being presented.

25
Q

What is the role of Watson in making psychology more scientific?

A

Watson came up with assumptions to take a scientific approach to psychology.

26
Q

What is an example of a reflex in behaviourism’s assumption that nearly all behaviour is learnt?

A

Blinking when we get dirt in our eyes.

27
Q

What is an example of an instinct according to behaviourism?

A

Instinctively running when in danger.

28
Q

What example supports the idea that humans and animals learn in the same ways?

A

Learning to drive a car is similar to a cat learning to use a cat-flap.

29
Q

How does behaviourism use the assumption ‘Nearly all behaviour is learnt’ to design research methods?

A

It uses the principles of learning as its main research goal.

30
Q

What was Pavlov studying when he discovered classical conditioning?

A

How dogs’ salivation helps them digest food.

31
Q

In Pavlov’s experiment, what became the conditioned stimulus (CS)?

A

The sound of the bell.

32
Q

What is higher-order conditioning in classical conditioning?

A

A new CS is created by associating it with the original CS.

33
Q

How does classical conditioning explain a baby feeling happy when hearing its mother’s voice?

A

The voice is paired with meeting needs, becoming a conditioned stimulus (CS).

34
Q

What is the principle of extinction in classical conditioning?

A

The CR stops when the CS is presented without the UCS.

35
Q

What is a real-life example of negative reinforcement?

A

Being told there will be no extra homework if you pass your test.

36
Q

What was the result of Skinner’s experiment with rats pressing a lever?

A

The rats quickly learned to press the lever for food.

37
Q

What type of reinforcement did Skinner use to prevent an electric shock?

A

Negative reinforcement.

38
Q

What does the ‘Little Albert’ experiment show about fear?

A

Fear can be conditioned in humans through association.

39
Q

What is one criticism of behaviourist research on animals?

A

It overlooks the influence of genes on behaviour.

40
Q

What is one reason behaviourists use animals in research?

A

They are easy to keep and don’t know they are being studied.

41
Q

What is one practical reason researchers have to justify using animals today?

A

Ethics require assessing whether it’s acceptable to use animals in experiments.

42
Q

What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?

A

When a previously extinct CR reappears after the CS is presented again.

43
Q

What does the principle of discrimination in classical conditioning refer to?

A

A CR is not triggered by stimuli that are too different from the CS.

44
Q
A

A Level Psychology (9 decks)

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