Behaviourist approach

Question 1

Assumptions

Answer 1

Observable and measurable behaviour is all that needs to be studied
Not interested in mental processes
Basic processes same in all species

Question 2

Classical Conditioning

Answer 2

Pavlov - research on salvation in dogs
Association of UCS with NS to produce new CS and CR

Question 3

Operant Conditioning

Answer 3

Skinner - rats in skinner box
Animal operates on environment, behaviour shaped by consequences
Positive reinforcement - receiving reward when certain behaviour is performed
Negative Reinforcement - when animal or human avoids something unpleasant
Punishment - Unpleasant consequence of behaviour

Question 4

Strengths

Answer 4

• Well controlled research
  Highly controlled behaviour - lab setting
  Behaviour broken down into stimulus-response units - removes Extraneous Variables - Cause & Effect established
  Shows behaviourist experiments have scientific credibility
• Real World Application
  Token economy systems used in prisons and psychiatric institutions
  Increases value of behaviourist approach as has widespread application

Question 5

Weaknesses

Answer 5

• Environmental Determinism
  All behaviour influenced by past experience - no room for free will
• Ethical issues
  Controlled conditions important for research but not good for animals - EG - hungry
• Not generalisable - cats/dogs