Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

Assumptions

Answer 1

Only studying behaviour that can be observed and measured
Not concerned with investigating mental processes of the mind
Try to maintain more control and objectivity within their research and relied on lab experiments as the best way to achieve this
The basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species
Animals can replace humans as experimental subjects

Question 2

Classical Conditioning- Pavlov’s Research

Answer 2

Learning through association
Dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time as they were given food
Was able to show how a neutral stimulus can come to elicit a new learned response through association

Question 3

Operant Conditioning- Skinner’s Research

Answer 3

Learning is an active process whereby humans and animals operate on their environment

Positive Reinforcement- receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed

Negative Reinforcement- When an animal or human avoids something unpleasant

Punishment- an unpleasant consequence of behaviour

Question 4

AO3- Behaviourist Approach
Scientific Credibility

Answer 4

Able to bring the language and methods of the natural sciences into psychology by focusing on the measurement of observable behaviour within highly controlled lab settings
Influential in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline

Question 5

AO3- Behaviourist Approach
Real World Application

Answer 5

Operant Conditioning is the basis of token economy systems that have been used successfully in institutions such as prisons and psychiatric hospitals- Work by rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens that can be then be exchanged for privileges

Classical Conditioning- Phobias

Requires less effort from clients and they don’t have to think about their problem

Question 6

AO3- Behaviourist Approach
Ethical Implications

Answer 6

Many critics have questioned the ethics of conducting investigations like Skinner’s Box. The animals involved were exposed to stressful and adverse conditions which may have also affected how they reacted to the experimental situation