Behaviourist Ap. Flashcards
What is classical conditioning?
When we learn to associate a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.
What did behaviourists believe?
behaviourists believed that most behaviour is learned
Which learning mechanisms are described in the behaviourist approach?
- Classical conditioning
* Operant conditioning
What is classical conditioning?
When we learn to associate a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus
What is meant by operant conditioning?
When we learn to associate our own actions with the outcome of those actions.
Social learning theory is similar to the behaviour approach in what ways?
- They are both considered learning approaches
* they they both agree that most behaviour is learned.
Why is the behavioural approach different from the social learning theory?
Social learning theory is different from the behavioural approach because an assumption of social learning theory is that we can learn just by observing others.
Behaviourism in a sentence.
Behaviourism is a theory of learning which states all behaviours are learned through interaction with the environment through a process called conditioning. Thus, behaviour is simply a response to environmental stimuli.
How is the behaviourist approach scientific?
The behaviourists used lab experiments.
This means that they had high control over extraneous variables, meaning studies have high internal validity and external reliability.
Reliance on empirical evidence means theories are falsifiable.
Behaviourist studies have been replicated many time.
What are strengths of the behaviourist approach?
- The behaviourist approach is scientific
* Learning mechanisms can be used to develop psychological treatments.
How can classical conditioning be used to treat anxieties and phobias?
By replacing a negative association with a positive association.
Behaviourists explain behaviour mainly in terms of..
Behaviourists explain behaviour mainly in terms of Stimulus and Response.
Why is the behaviourist approach overly reductive?
the behaviourist approach may be overly reductionist because it ignores the role of mental processes and biological factors in explaining behaviour.
Which limitations are there to the behaviourists using animal research?
First, the results from animal research may not generalise to humans.
Second, there may be ethical issues with the research.
Explain why the behaviourist approach can be considered reductionist.
it explains behaviour solely in terms of stimulus and response.
The behaviourist approach can be considered reductionist as it explains that we learn only through experience, therefore only focusing on nurture. It also ignores many other explanations such as the role of mental processes and biological factors in behaviour.
