Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What are the 3 assumptions of the Behaviourist Approach?

Answer 1

1. Psychologists should only study observable behaviours, (not mental processes)
2. Most behaviour is learned
3. Research can use animals to reach conclusions about human behaviour - Same learning mechanisms, (classical and operant conditioning)

Question 2

Why do behaviourists believe that Psychologists should only study observable behaviours?

Answer 2

Behaviourists believe that for Psychology to be an experimental science it must be based on empirical evidence, which means it is not possible to study mental processes

Question 3

The Behaviourist Approach assumes that most behaviour is learned. What does this mean?

Answer 3

It means that changes in the environment result in changes in behaviour

Question 4

Why do Behaviourists believe that it doesn’t matter whether humans or animals are used in research?

Answer 4

Because they have the same learning mechanisms

Question 5

Behaviourists believe that humans and animals have the same learning mechanisms. Which two learning mechanisms are they referring to?

Answer 5

1. Classical conditioning
2. Operant conditioning

Question 6

Classical Conditioning

Question 7

Operant Conditioning