Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What are the key assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

• Only studying observable, quantifiable behaviour
• All behaviour is learned
• Humans are no different from animals and should not be regarded complex, justifying use of research of animal behaviour

Question 2

Define classical conditioning

Answer 2

Existing involuntary reflex associated with a new stimulus

Question 3

Outline Pavlov (1897)

Answer 3

• Dogs associated sound of bell (NS) with food (US)
• Resultedin dogs producin salivation response (CR) at sound of bell (CS), even when no food was present.
• Repeated exposure to event leads to learned and uncontrollable behaviour
• NS always CS, in this case the bell

Question 4

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 4

Behaviour likely to be repeated due to reward

Question 5

Define operant conditioning

Answer 5

Behaviour a result of learning through consequences of our actions (reinforcement)

Question 6

Outline Skinner (1948)

Answer 6

• Skinner box contained a lever, light, food, water and electrical grid
• When pressing lever, rat was rewarded with food
• Accidental behaviour became contigous (positive reinforcement)
• Rat pressed lever to turn off electrical current for 30 seconds (negative reinforcement)

Question 7

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 7

Behaviour likely to be repeated due to removal of a consequence

Question 8

Define punishment

Answer 8

Behaviour less likely to be repeated due to unpleasant consequences

Question 9

Who was the first behaviourist?

Answer 9

Watson

Question 10

AO1 - General Assumptions

Answer 10

• Watson, objectivity, scientific, observable behaviour, tabula rasa, indifference of humans and animals, all behaviour is learned

Question 11

AO3 - Scientific

Answer 11

P: Scientific in methodloy, controlled experiments, objective
E: Pavlov (1897), operationalised and measurable variables (amount dogs salivated)

E: standardisation of procedure, results easily replicable, increase reliability, internal validity due to establishment of C+E

Question 12

AO1 - Classical conditioning

Answer 12

Define classical conditioning, discuss Pavlov (1897)

Question 13

AO1 - Operant conditioning

Answer 13

Define operant conditioning, discuss two types of reinforcement, Skinner (1948)

Question 14

AO3 - Positively predict and control behaviour of humans

Answer 14

P: Positively predict and control behaviours of humans
E: Epstein (2006) used positive reinforcement to make individuals eat healthier foods on basis that food was reduced

E: implications in real-life settings, can be generalised, condition a better society (health)