Behaviourism (approaches) Flashcards
What is meant by the behaviourist approach
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
- the learning approach
What is meant by classical conditioning
Learning by association
What is meant by operant conditioning
Learning through consequences/reinforcement
(Rewards and punishment)
What is meant by reinforcement
A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated.
Can be + or -
Observable events (Assumption of behaviourism)
- Primary concern was being able to observe and measure behaviours
- I.E. external behaviour can be objectively and scientifically measured
Scientific
(assumption of behaviourism)
Behaviour must be measured in highly controlled environments to establish cause and effect
Blank slate (tabula rasa)
(Assumption of behaviourism)
All behaviour is learnt from the environment
We learn new behaviour through classical or operant conditioning
Value of animal research
(Assumption of behaviourism)
There is little difference between the learning that takes place in humans and that in other animals
Behaviour S-R response
(Assumption to behaviourism)
Behaviour is the result of a stimulus-response
All behaviour no matter how complex, can be reduced to a simple stimulus-response association
Classical conditioning key researchers
Ivan Pavlov - salivating dogs
Watson - Little Albert
Process of CC
UCS —> UCR
UCS + NS —> UCR
CS —> CR
Operant conditioning key researchers
Skinner - skinner’s boxes
What is a positive reinforcement
Receiving a reward when certain behaviour is performed
What is negative reinforcement
Occurs when an animal (or human) avoids something unpleasant
What is a punishment
An unpleasant consequence of behaviour
-to stop a behaviour
What is reinforcement used for
To continue a behaviour
Outline of Skinner’s research (positive version)
-skinner’s boxes
- rats
- push lever for food
- reward system
- positive reinforcement
Outline skinner’s research (negative version)
- skinner’s boxes
- rats
- lever to push to stop electric shock
- removing something unpleasant
Environmental determinism
Behaviourists argue that humans have no choice in their behaviour and our behaviour is simply the product of environmental learning
They argue that free will is an illusion
PEEL PARAGRAPH- STRENGTH
P- behaviourism has significantly contributed to the still-developing recognition of psychology as a science
E- experimental methods used in animal studies by P & S rejected the earlier emphasis in psychology on introspection, encouraged research focusing on more objective dimensions of behaviourism
E- increasingly valid and reliable understanding of human behaviour
L- helped psychology gain credibility and status as a scientific discipline, attracts more funding and research opportunities
PEEL PARAGRAPH- STRENGTH
P- made important contributions to our modern understanding of human mental illness
E- many phobias are thought to be the result of earlier unpleasant learning experiences. Consequently, this understanding has helped develop therapies such as systematic desensitisation
E- some addictions such as gambling can be better understood through operant conditioning, as the rewards of gambling could be seen to reinforce the destructive behaviour
L- demonstrates that the behaviourist approach has many real world applications
PEEL PARAGRAPH- LIMITATION
P-limited view regarding the origins of behaviour and being too reductionist
E- behaviourists ignore the alternative levels of explanation including the role of cognition, emotion and biological factors
E- skinner however stated that for behaviour to be investigated scientifically, it had to be directly measurable and observable, which cognitions aren’t
L- he said that even the most complex of human interactions could be explained using operant conditioning principles of learning by the consequences of our actions to either repeat or cease the behaviour
PEEL PARAGRAPH- LIMITATION
P- most research has been conducted on animals such as rats, pigeons, dogs, etc
E- assumed that the principals of learning identified in these animals can be equally applied to humans
E- however human brains are qualitatively different to non human animals and humans are conscious beings who can think about how to behave rather than mechanically respond to a stimulus/reinforcement/punishment
L- due to issues with animal extrapolation the results from non human animals need to be generalised with caution to humans
Reductionism =
Is explaining complex behaviour
E.g. depression down to smaller component parts E.g low serotonin
