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WJEC AS Psychology > Behaviourist Approach > Flashcards

Behaviourist Approach Flashcards

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1
Q

What is negative reinforcement?

A

Strengthening behaviour by escaping something unpleasant. (e.g completing homework avoids detention/teacher being angry so you are more likely to complete it next time)

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2
Q

What are the assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

A
  • Humans are born like a blank slate
  • Behaviour learned through conditioning
  • Humans & animals learn in similar ways
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3
Q

What does ‘Humans are born like a blank slate’ actually mean?

A

That humans are not born with built-in mental content. Behaviour is learnt.

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4
Q

What are the two types of conditioning?

A

Classical & operant.

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5
Q

How is classical conditioning learnt?

A

Through association

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6
Q

How is operant conditioning learnt?

A

Through reinforcement.

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7
Q

Who is an example of a researcher that used classical conditioning?

A

Ivan Pavlov

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8
Q

Name the researcher that used operant conditioning.

A

B.F Skinner

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9
Q

What was Pavlov’s study of classical conditioning on?

A

Dogs

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10
Q

What was Skinner’s study of operant conditioning on?

A

Rat/pigeons

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11
Q

What is a UCS in classical conditioning?

A

An unconditioned stimulus

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12
Q

What is a UCR in classical conditioning?

A

An unconditioned response

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13
Q

What is NS in classical conditioning?

A

A neutral stimulus

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14
Q

What is CS in classical conditioning?

A

The conditioned stimulus

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15
Q

What is CR in classical conditioning?

A

The conditioned response

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16
Q

What was the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in Pavlov’s study?

A

Food

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17
Q

What was the unconditioned response (UCR) in Pavlov’s study?

A

Salivation

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18
Q

What was the neutral stimulus (NS) in Pavlov’s study?

A

Sound of the bell

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19
Q

What was the conditioned stimulus (CS) in Pavlov’s study?

A

The bell

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20
Q

What was the conditioned response (CR) in Pavlov’s study?

A

Salivation

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21
Q

Describe the steps of Pavlov’s study. (3)

A

1• Before conditioning: Food (UCS) produces saliva in dog (UCR)

2• During conditioning: The bell (NS) is presented alongside food (UCS) and is repeated many times. ASSOCIATION OCCURS HERE

3• After conditioning: Bell (Now CS) produces saliva (Now CR)

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22
Q

Describe the steps of the positive reinforcement in Skinner’s observations. (2)

A

1• Animal inside box may accidentally press lever which results in food being given.

2• Behaviour is reinforced (rewarded) with the food so animal is likely to repeat.

This is known as positive reinforcement.

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23
Q

Is punishment in operant conditioning used?

A

Yes

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24
Q

What is punishment in operant conditioning?

A

Weakening behaviour through an unpleasant experience (like a shock) so that the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated is unlikely.

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25
Q

Explain the assumption of humans and animals learning in similar ways.

A

Studies done on animals in a lab environment can be used to make generalisations about human behaviour. The principles can be applied in behaviourist therapies.

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26
Q

Behaviourists believe that external factors will be most influential in the formation of relationships. Describe how operant conditioning is applied with positive and negative reinforcement.

A
  • Positive- likely to repeat behaviour (i.e spend more time) from rewards we get from loving relationships. (compliments/attention)
  • Negative- Being with someone helps avoid feelings of loneliness/rejection so successfully avoiding these is reinforcing.
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27
Q

Describe relationship formation in the form of classical conditioning.

A

We tend to like people who we share pleasant experiences with and that are associated with pleasant events.
(meet someone when feeling happy—>likely to associate them with happiness)
(meet someone when feeling unhappy—>likely to associate them with negative feelings/thoughts toward them)

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28
Q

Name the therapy used in the behaviourist approach.

A

Systematic desensitisation

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29
Q

What is the purpose of systematic desensitisation?

A

To help people ‘unlearn’ their undesirable, learnt behaviour

30
Q

Is systematic desensitisation mainly focused on classical or operant conditioning principles?

A

Classical

31
Q

What is systemic desensitisation used to treat?

A

Phobic disorders

32
Q

What is the idea of reciprocal inhibition?

A

That we cannot easily experience two contrasting stages of emotion at the same time.

33
Q

Is positive or negative reinforcement involved in systematic desensitisation?

A

Positive

34
Q

What are the main components of systematic desensitisation?

A
  • Counterconditioning
  • Desensitisation hierarchy
  • Different forms of SD
35
Q

What is counterconditioning and what is the aim?

A

Aim- To acquire a new stimulus-response link. (change from association with fear to relaxation)
Meaning- Teaching a new association that runs counter to the original association.

36
Q

Explain what a desensitisation hierarchy is.

A

A series of gradual steps that are determined at the start of the therapy. (From least feared stimuli to most)

37
Q

What are the two forms of systematic desensitisation?

A
  • In vivo desensitisation- learning to relax in presence of fearful object/image.
  • In vitro desensitisation- learning to relax while imagining fearful stimuli.
38
Q

Which form of systematic desensitisation has been found to be more effective?

A

In vivo desensitisation (Menzies and Clarke, 1993)

39
Q

Why is systematic desensitisation not appropriate for all phobias?

A

It’s less effective in generalised phobias (agoraphobia) and those that are in our evolutionary past (spiders/snakes etc) as these were adaptations to avoid danger.

40
Q

Why are people much less afraid of modern objects (toasters, cars etc) than of ancient ones (heights, snakes, strangers etc)?

A

Due to biological preparedness. The modern objects are much less of a danger to our life than the ancient ones as such items were not a danger in our evolutionary past.

41
Q

Does systematic desensitisation cure the cause of a phobia? Why?

A

No. It removes the symptoms but the cause remains. The symptoms may resurface in another form. (symptom substitution)

42
Q

What are the ethical issues of systematic desensitisation?

A

SD is considered more ethical than other behavioural therapies as it is conducted slowly and comfortably for the patient.
Patients are also able to provide valid consent as it includes phobias, not mental disorders. Patients attend with their own free will and are ‘healthy’ and ‘in touch’ enough to provide the consent.

43
Q

What is the classic evidence in the behaviourist approach?

A

Watson and Rayner (1920)

44
Q

What was the methodology used in Watson and Rayner?

A

A controlled observation. (Watson and Rayner referred to it as an experiment but is not considered that anymore)
•1 condition: determine effects of certain stimuli.

45
Q

How were Little Albert’s responses recorded in the Watson and Rayner observation?

A

With a motion picture camera

46
Q

What was the NS in Watson and Rayner before conditioning?

A

White rat

47
Q

What was the UCS and UCR before conditioning in Watson and Rayner?

A

UCS- Loud noise

UCR- Fear response

48
Q

During conditioning, name the NS, UCS and UCR in Watson and Rayner’s observation.

A

NS & UCS: White rat + Loud noise TOGETHER (at same time)

UCR: Fear response

49
Q

After conditioning, what was the CS and CR in Watson and Rayner?

A

CS- White rat

CR- Fear response

50
Q

Name the 5 steps in systematic desensitisation.

A

1• Patient taught how to relax muscles completely.
2• Therapist & patient make the desensitisation hierarchy.
3• Patient gradually works way through the hierarchy.
4• Once patient has mastered one step, they can move onto the next
5• Patient masters feared stimuli.

51
Q

Is operant or classical conditioning used in Watson and Rayner’s study?

A

Classical

52
Q

In Watson and Rayner, how was Albert’s initial reactions observed?

A

Emotional tests to see his initial reactions to the stimuli (none) and then showing him them again along with a loud noise. (1st strike startled, 2nd strike lips began to tremble, 3rd strike sudden crying fit)

53
Q

Outline session 1 of Watson and Rayner’s procedure.

A

Establishing a conditioned emotional response:
Brought 11 month 3 day old infant back in and rat was presented alongside a loud noise. (Fell forward and tried to hide his head, did not cry)

54
Q

Outline session 2 of Watson and Rayner’s study.

A

Testing the conditioned emotional response:
1 week later, rat shown with no sound to see if Albert would react fearfully. (Seemed cautious but emotional state was normal)

55
Q

Outline session 3 of Watson and Rayner’s observations.

A

Generalisation:
At 11 months 15 days Albert returned. He was tested to see if his fear had generalised to other objects too like blocks, rabbits, dogs etc. (shown rat & rabbit- extremely fearful) (shown dog- not as violent)

56
Q

Describe session 4 of Watson and Rayner’s study.

A

Changing the environment:
5 days later, emotional response was ‘freshened up’ (fear response worsened) then taken to new environment. (large lecture room) - (fear towards furry objects persisted)

57
Q

Describe session 5 of Watson and Rayner’s observations.

A

The effect of time:
12 months & 21 days, tested for last time but no emotional tests conducted. Was shown Santa mask, fur coat, rabbit, dog and blocks. (no negative response to blocks, avoided all other objects & whimpered, but not as extreme as before)

58
Q

Conclude Watson and Rayner’s observation. (2)

A
  • Demonstrated how easy it is to create a fear in a child.

* Conditioned responses generalise to similar stimuli.

59
Q

What were the controls in Watson and Rayner’s study?

A

1• Showed Albert’s pre-manipulated behaviour was not fearful.
2• The wooden building blocks (control condition) showed his responses were exclusively to furry objects.
3• Film evidence to show findings can be confirmed.

60
Q

Could extraneous variables be controlled in Watson and Rayner’s study?

A

Yes as it was done in a lab setting.

61
Q

Name one criticism of classical conditioning as an explanation of phobias. (Relating to Watson and Rayner)

A

It can’t explain how they persist. (Alberts conditioned response had to be ‘freshened up’ to continue to affect him majorly)
If classical conditioning was solely involved, it may disappear over time.

62
Q

O.H. Mowrer explains how a phobia directed from classical conditioning doesn’t ‘disappear’. How/why.

A

Classical conditioning explains how phobias are acquired and operant conditioning how they are maintained. (Once fear is learned, individual will avoid fearful thing as much as possible, hence negatively reinforcing behaviour)

63
Q

Name other possible reasons for a phobia developing.

A
  • Traumatic incidents

* Biological preparedness

64
Q

Why is Watson and Rayner’s study deemed one of the most unethical studies in psychology?

A
  • Psychological harm- creating excessive fear that was not originally there.
  • Additional risk of harm- Had to remove anything calming (sucking thumb) from Albert to see full effects of stimuli.
  • Lasting effects- Watson and Rayner intended to de-condition his responses but Albert was suddenly removed from the hospital so the chance was never given. Albert continued to be scared.
65
Q

Explain why the behaviourist approach is scientific. (strength)

A

Behaviourists believe through the scientific method, feelings and thoughts can be operationalised so that we can analyse, quantify and compare behaviour. The research was carried out with controls of variables, making it scientific.

66
Q

The behaviourist approach focuses on the here and now. What does this mean?

A

Is not concerned with a person’s past. The treatment in the approach does not look for complicated causes, it only focuses on the current symptoms and removing them.

67
Q

What are the successful applications made in society by the behaviourist approach?

A
  • Classical conditioning- Applied in systematic desensitisation therapies for phobias.
  • Operant conditioning- Underlies effective teaching strategies in education.
  • Positive reinforcement & punishment- Helps shape behaviour in classrooms.
68
Q

Does the behaviourist approach have an emphasis on nature of nurture?

A

Nurture. It ignores biological factors.

69
Q

Why is the behaviourist approach determinist? (3)

A
  • Behaviourists believe behaviour is influenced exclusively by associations made in classical conditioning.
  • Thought processes not considered.
  • Implies free will/choice is not available to us so no responsibility can be held over us for our actions.
70
Q

This approach is more relevant to HUMANS than ANIMALS. True or false?

A

FALSE!!!!
Humans have a more complex mind than animals so may feel anxiety responses in different ways. It is questioned wether we can really assume that animals and humans learn in the same way.

WJEC AS Psychology (6 decks)

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