Behaviourism Approach

Question 1

Key assumptions (5)

Answer 1

• all behaviour is learned from the environment
• nothing is innate
• objective, lab based methods
• only study observable behaviour
• born with a ‘tabula rasa’ meaning blank slate

Question 2

Key features

Answer 2

• classical conditioning (learning through association)
  -operant conditioning (learning through rewards and consequence)

Question 3

Classical conditioning

Answer 3

Learning through association. Involves pairing 2 stimuli together to get a response ( eg pavlovs dogs)

Question 4

Operant conditioning

Answer 4

Learning through rewards and consequence.
3 main features: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment

Question 5

Research methods - 3

Answer 5

Pavlovs dogs (classical)
Little Albert (classical)
Skinners box (tests reinforcement- operant )

Question 6

Pavlovs dogs experiment

Answer 6

Food —-> dog (UCS —> salivation UCR)
Bell + food —> dog (neutral + UCS —> UCR)
After conditioning:
Bell —> dog ( CS —> CR)

Question 7

Little Albert experiment

Answer 7

Neutral stimulus (rat) —-> no fear
UCS (steel bar and hammer—> UCR (fear)
Neutral +UCS —-> UCR (fear)
After conditioning:
Neutral stimulus (rat) —-> UCR (fear)

Question 8

4 problems with the little Albert experiment

Answer 8

• unethical
• no consent
• trauma/ everlasting phobia
• in theory, they could have used counter-conditioning but that was not DONE

Question 9

WHAT DOES LITTLE ALBERT NOW HAVE

Answer 9

Stimulus generalisation

Question 10

Positive reinforcement

Answer 10

Rewards help strengthen behaviour, so you are more likely to repeat it