Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
What is the behaviourist approach
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
What did Pavlov research
Pavlov identified two important forms of learning
1) classical conditioning
2) operant conditioning
What is classical conditioning
Learning by association e.g. when two stimuli are paired together
How did Pavlov investigate classical conditioning
He revealed that dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell when repeatedly presented at the same time they were given food
What was the neutral stimulus and other stimuli in Pavlov’s research
Neutral stimulus - bell
Unconditioned stimulus - food
Conditioned stimulus - salivation when bell rings
What is operant conditioning
Learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by consequences
Who researched operant conditioning
Skinner
What did Skinner suggest about operant conditioning
Learning is an active process in which humans and animals operate on their environment
What are the 3 types of consequences for operant conditioning
1) positive reinforcement
2) negative reinforcement
3) punishment
What is positive reinforcement
Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed e.g. gold star when answering a question right
What is negative reinforcement
Doing a certain behaviour to avoid something unpleasant e.g. doing homework on time so you don’t get told off
What is punishment
Unpleasant consequences for a behaviour e.g. being shouted at for talking during a lesson (a way to avoid this is negative reinforcement)
What effect on our behaviour does positive and negative reinforcement and punishment have
Positive and negative increase the likelihood of repeating a behaviour whereas punishment decreases the likelihood of a behaviour occurring
What is a strength of the behaviourist approach
Scientific credibility - behaviourism brings language and methods of the natural sciences into psychology by focusing on the measurement of observable behaviour in highly controlled lab settings. This emphasises the importance of scientific processes such as objectivity and replication therefore giving the behaviourist approach great credibility and status
What is another strength of the behaviourist approach
Real world application - principles of conditioning have been applied world wide e.g. token economy system used in prisons by rewarding inmates for certain behaviours with tokens that can be used for privileges (positive reinforcement)
What is a limitation of the behaviourist approach
Environmental determinism - the approach sees that all behaviour has been shaped by past experiences and have been conditioned. This ignores any possible influence that free will may have on behaviour. Skinner suggested that any sense of free will is an illusion.
