Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

-focuses on observable events and responses under the conditions in which learning will most likely occur
-referred as the learning theory
-explaining behaviour through conditioning and is maintained through operant and classical conditioning

Question 2

What is classical conditioning

Answer 2

When a neutral stimulus and unconditional stimulus is paired to take on the properties of that stimulus to produce a conditioned response

Question 3

What is operant conditioning

Answer 3

Learning through reinforcement or punishment to maintain behaviour based on its consequences so the behaviour is likely to happen again followed by a desirable consequence

Question 4

Who demonstrated that dogs could be conditioned to salivate once hearing the bell

Answer 4

Pavlov

Question 5

What was Pavlov research on classical conditioning (

Answer 5

He investigated the salutary reflex with dogs
-before conditioning-UCS(food) produce UCR(salivate)
-during conditioning- UCS was repeatedly paired with NS(bell) to produce the same UCR(salivate)
-after conditioning NS becomes CS (conditioned stimulus-bell)producing a conditioned response of salivation

Question 6

What are the other 3 features of classical conditioning and Pavlov research

Answer 6

-timing
-extinction
-spontaneous recovery
- stimulus generalisation

Question 7

Explain timing as an important feature in classical conditioning shown by Pavlov

Answer 7

If the time interval between NS and UCS isn’t the same or too great each time then conditioning doesn’t take place

Question 8

Explain why extinction is an important feature of classical conditioning suggested by Pavlov

Answer 8

The conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the UCS so the conditioned response becomes extinct

Question 9

Explain spontaneous recovery as another important feature in classical conditioning

Answer 9

After extinction the CS and UCS is paired again and the link between them is quicker

Question 10

Explain stimulus generalisation in classical conditioning as another important feature

Answer 10

Pavlov discovered once an animal has been conditioned they will respond to other stimuli similar to cs

Question 11

Who studied operant conditioning with the rat

Answer 11

Bf skinner

Question 12

How did skinner investigate a rat and support operant conditioning

Answer 12

• he developed a special cage called Skinner box
  -rat explores box and accidentally presses a leaver
  -food then is instantly delivered to cage
  -once the rat is hungry it will press the leaver to get food
  -rat Also learnt to press the leaver to avoid electric shock
  Positive reinforcement shown= rat pressing down on leaver to get a reward-learns to repeat action
  Negative reinforcement =rat learnt to press down on leaver to avoid electric shock

Question 13

What is reinforcement

Answer 13

Strengthens a behaviour so it’s more likely to reoccur again

Question 14

What is positive reinforcement

Answer 14

We carry out behaviour to receive a reward or something pleasant

Question 15

What is negative reinforcement

Answer 15

We carry out behaviour to avoid negative consequences

Question 16

A03-strength-classical conditioning application

Answer 16

+classical conditioning has been applied to therapy to do with phobias/anxiety
-systematic destination is therapy based on classical conditioning by eliminating a anxious response associated with a phobia
-possible to eliminate the anxiety by replacing it with relaxation
-this classical conditioning approach is found to be effective for phobias e.g spiders

Question 17

AO3-weakness-classical conditioning is only appropriate to

Answer 17

—classical conditioning is only appropriate for some learning as different species due different challenges to survive and some relationships between CS+UCS is difficult to establish
-psychologist proposed preparedness to explain this
-animals are prepared to learn things significant to their survival needs e.g smell of meat but not prepared to learn things that r not significant for survivable.g sound of bell with food
-suggests classical conditioning is only appropriate in learning specific types of associations

Question 18

AO3-strength-operant conditioning uses

Answer 18

+skinners research uses the experimental method by using controlled conditions to discover relationships between variables
-skinners reliance on the Skinner box is a Good example of this
-by manipulating the consequences of behaviour(IV) he could measure the effects of the rats behaviour(DV)
-this allowed him to establish a cause and effect relationship between the consequences of a behaviour

Question 19

AO3-weakness-skinners research

Answer 19

— skinners research has been criticised because his study used animals rather than humans
-critics say his reliance on rats or pigeons means his study tells us little about human behaviour
-they claim that animals don’t have free will but humans do rather than their behaviour being determined by negative or positive reinforcement
-however skinner claims that free will is an illusion and it’s external influences that guides our behaviour
-also using animals is unethical