behaviourist approach

Question 1

assumptions

Answer 1

-focus on environment (shapes us/not focused on biology)
-focus on scientific method (bhaviour studiedin scientifi way/ strong focus on observable actions)

Question 2

types of learning

Answer 2

-through association
-through consequences
through imitation

Question 3

classical conditioning

Answer 3

pavlov’s dog experiment
lern through association
when a neutral stimulus is associated with an unconditioned stimulus causing a conditioned response

Question 4

operant conditioning

Answer 4

skinner- behaviour is shaped by consequences

Question 5

positive reinforcement

Answer 5

encourage a behaviour through reward

Question 6

negative reinforcement

Answer 6

avoiding/removing something unpleasant by doing a behaviour
(i.e. taking medication)

Question 7

positive punishment

Answer 7

recieving a consequence/punishment

Question 8

negative punishment

Answer 8

removal of something pleasant

Question 9

skinner: positive reinforcement

Answer 9

rat placed in ‘skinners box’
everytime rat activated lever it recieved food
rat would continue behaviour
form of positive reinforcement as it is being rewarded for behaiviour

Question 10

skinner: negative reinforcement

Answer 10

placed rat in ‘skinners box’
rat would recieve electric shok until it pushed a lever that would stop it
rat would continue this behaviour to stop it
form of negative reinforcement as action removes someting unpleasant

Question 11

differences

Answer 11

classical:
-focus on passive learning
-about involunatary behaviour
-learning through association

operant:
-focus on active learning
voluntary behaviour
-learning through cosequence

Question 12

evalution: well controlled research

Answer 12

focused on measurement of observable behaviour within highly controlled lab settings
extreneous variables removed - allows cause and effect reationship to be established
has scientific credibility

Question 13

however

Answer 13

oversimplified learning process
ignored important influence on human learning - that of human thought
learning is more complex than observablebehabiour alone

Question 14

strength: real world application

Answer 14

basis of token economy system
- works by rewarding behaviour with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges
-successful in prisons, schools and psychiatric wards
increse value of approach as it has widespread application

Question 15

limitation: environmental determinism

Answer 15

belief that behaviour is caused by the environment
removes idea that humans have any free will
our behaviour is based on past experiences
ignores influence of conscious decision making

Question 16

limitation: ethical issues

Answer 16

animals housed in harsh cramped conditions
deliberately kept starved and below natural weight
always hungry
extremely unethical