Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

Who founded the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

John Locke

Question 2

Define introspection

Answer 2

The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking down the conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations

Question 3

What are the 3 assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 3

1. Only observable and measurable behaviour should be studied
2. We are born as blank slates (Tabula rasa)
3. The basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species

Question 4

Define classical conditioning

Answer 4

Learning through association

Question 5

Who is the psychologist who investigated classical conditioning?

Answer 5

Ivan Pavlov

Question 6

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 6

Learning through consequences

Question 7

What are the 3 types of consequences for behaviour?

Answer 7

Negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement and punishment

Question 8

Who investigated operant conditioning?

Answer 8

B.F Skinner

Question 9

What are the two strengths of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 9

Scientific credibility- Behaviourists use scientific methods to investigate human behaviour à focused on objectivity and replication in controlled lab settings. This gave them greater credibility and status.

Real-life application-
Operant conditioning: Token economy system can be used in prisons and psychiatric wards.
Classical conditioning: Been used to treat people with phobias. Watson and Raynor-Little Albert study

Question 10

What are the three limitations of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 10

Mechanistic view: Behaviourists view humans as machine-like responders to the environment with little or no conscious thought into their behaviour. They do not consider the influence of thought and cognitive processes as they are not observable, however other theories (e.g cognitive approach) have demonstrated the influence of cognitive processes on human behaviour à e.g. how our brain processes information from the environment influences how we respond to that information.

Ethical issues: The animals involved in the Skinner Box were directly exposed to stressful and aversive conditions, which critics have said is unethical.
Counter- The opposing argument is that it is more ethical to test animals in this way than testing humans.

Practical issues: It has been argued it is not appropriate to apply findings on animals to humans due to the differences in the complexity of human and animal behaviour. There are genetic influences on what different species can and cannot learn which reflect their different evolutionary histories- e.g. rats can be conditioned to respond to tastes but not to smells.