behaviourist approach

Question 1

cat in puzzle box question
a. what type of conditioning is being investigated in this experiment?

b. calculates mean time taken for cat to escape the box

c. shade one box

Answer 1

a. operant conditioning
- pulling string result in positive consequences
-escaping for treat

b. 30.75

c. d

Question 2

using your knowledge explain why women is scared of balloons ( 3 marks)

Answer 2

1) balloon = neutral stimulus
2) balloon bursting is loud noise and causes fear
3) balloon now cause fear

Question 3

describe procedure that behaviourist have used to study operant conditioning ( 3 marks)

Answer 3

skinner rats.
a rat was placed in the box and then it would press the lever and food pellets would be released. this positive reinforcement would increase the rat pressing the lever.
he would also do the opposite of pressing the lever would cause electric shock thus to stop the rat from pressing it showing punishment would decrease the likelihood of behaviour repeating itself.

Question 4

briefly discuss the value of behaviourism in helping us understand human behaviour

Answer 4

• successful behavioural therepay such as systematic desensitisation
• human behaviour is more complex than animal behaviour and research such as skinner and Pavlov

Question 5

a. suggest how psychodynamic psychologist explain marc behaviour

b . suggest how behaviourist psychologist explain
marc behaviour

Answer 5

psychodynamic : use defence mechanism to cope with uncontrolled id and weak superego - kicking drink machine and controlling his feeling such

behaviourist : violent behaviours due to exposure of violent actions in environment.

Question 6

outline what is meant by quantitative data? and give example of qualitative data collected by psychologist who studied conditioning

Answer 6

1) data in numerical form.
2) e.g Pavlov - measure of amount of saliva produce by dog

Question 7

give two reasons why behaviourist do not collect qualitiave data in their investigation

Answer 7

1) they are only interested in observable behaviour which can be measured and analysed.
2) believe Quali is subjective and open to bias.

Question 8

explain two strengths of behaviourist approach in psychology

Answer 8

1) provides an explanation for a range of behaviours e.g development
2) provides an explanation for specific behaviours e.g phobias