Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What are behaviourist assumptions?

Answer 1

1) explains behaviour in terms of what is observable and learning
2) only studies behaviour that can be observed and measured by trying to maintain control and objectivity within research and relying on lab studies
3) all behaviour is learned and basic processes that govern learning are same in all species

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

Learning by association that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together (unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus). Neutral stimulus eventually produces same response that was first produced by unconditioned stimulus alone

Question 3

What is Pavlov’s research?

Answer 3

1) dogs have reflex response to produce salvia (unconditioned stimulus) when they see food (neutral stimulus)
2) Pavlov rang a bell (neutral stimulus) each time he fed them
3) dogs began to salivate (conditioned response) just when they heard the bell (conditioned response) even when no food was there
4) learnt to associate sound of bell with food and so responded in same way to bell as food

Question 4

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 4

Learning from consequences of behaviour such as reinforcement and punishment meaning we learn certain behaviours because of what happens when that behaviour is produced (same in humans and animals)

Question 5

What is Skinner’s research?

Answer 5

1) rats put in specially designed cages called Skinner boxes
2) rat would press lever initially by chance and would receive reward of food pellet which taught them to keep pressing the leaver (positive reinforcement)
3) in some variations, light signalled that electric shock would come through floor and pressing lever meant rat could turn off electrical current which taught them to keep pressing lever to avoid painful sensation (negative reinforcement)

Question 6

What are strengths of behaviourist approach?

Answer 6

1) provides scientific credibility as it brought a lot of scientific language and methodologies into realm of psychology
2) conditioning is used all the time in real-life establishments

Question 7

What are limitations of behaviourist approach?

Answer 7

1) causes ethical and practical issues with animal experiments as they were exposed to stressful environments and aversive conditions which may have impacted behaviour
2) environmental determinism means it views all behaviour as conditioned by past conditioning experiences and ignores any possible influence that free will may have on behaviour
3) oversimplified learning process as it ignores influence of human thought on learning