Behaviourist approach Flashcards
What is classical conditioning ?
Learning by association.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning in which behavior is shaped by consequences. These consequences can be positive,negative or a punishment
What is positive reinforcement?
Receiving a reward when a certain behavior is performed this strengthens the behavior
What is negative reinforcement?
Avoidance of something unpleasant (the behavior is strengthened and likely to be repeated to avoid negative consequences)
What is a punishment?
unpleasant consequences of a behavior (behaviour less likely to occur again)
What are the weaknesses of the behaviourist approach?
Oversimplified learning - can only measure observable behavior . Human thought processes could have been used.
Ethical issues - animals kept in harsh ,cramped conditions and deliberately kept underweight so always hungry.
Does not explain all behaviors - spontaneous behavior can not be explained by conditioning
Animal and human differences - human behavior is more complex than animal behavior
What are the strengths of the behaviourist approach?
Highly scientific - completed in controlled laboratory setting with no extraneous variables
Successfully applied to the real world - wide range of settings (schools,prisons)
What are the key arguments in the behaviourist approach ?
- All behavior is learned through experience
- Only observable behavior is measured scientifically and therefore only these behaviors should be studied
*Rejects the concept of introspection
- Behaviourist approach believes individuals are only developed by experience
How did Skinner study operant condition?
He created a ‘skinner box’ Which had a lever in the box and every time it was activated it would release a pellet.The box also had the capacity to electrocute.
What is reinforcement scheduling?
relates to varying patterns of reinforcement.
What is an unconditioned stimulus ?
Something that triggers a natural response.
What is an unconditioned response ?
response that is natural and not learnt.
What is a natural stimulus ?
something that would not instinctively cause a reaction
