Behaviourist approach

Question 1

Key psychologists of the Behaviourist approach

Answer 1

Skinner and Pavlov

Question 2

5 assumptions

Main assumptions of the Behaviourist approach

Answer 2

1. All behaviour is learn through our environment, we are born as blank slates.
2. Only observable behaviour should be investigated
3. Behaviour is LEARNT, so it can be UNLEARNT.
4. Humans and animals learn in the same way, so results from animal studies can be generalised to humans
5. Behaviour is a result of learned associations between stimuli and our responses to them.

Question 3

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 3

Learning through association - coined by PAVLOV

Question 4

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 4

Learning through consequences - coined by SKINNER

Question 5

How does classical conditioning occur? (diagram)

Answer 5

Before conditioning: UCS — UCR
During conditioning: UCS + NS — UCR
After: CS —- CR

Question 6

Skinner - 2 main assumptions

Main assumptions of operant conditioning

Answer 6

• Skinner’s theory states that all organisms produce behaviours that elicit consequences
• These are either reinforced or punished
• Wer are more likely to repeat behaviours that are reinforced.

Question 7

Features of classical conditioning

Answer 7

Timing - NS and UCS must be introduced around the same time to be effective
Extinction - After a few presentations of the CS without the UCS, there is an absense of the CR
Spontaneous recovery - Follows extinction - if the CS and UCS are paired together once again, the association will form much quicker
Stimulus generalisation - once an animal is conditioned, they will also respond to other stimuli to CS

Question 8

Positive reinforcement

Answer 8

**Gaining something **as a reward e.g. getting a cookie after finishing homework

Question 9

Negative reinforcement

Answer 9

Removing something unpleasant from the environment/circumstance as a reward (e.g. not having to do chores)

Question 10

Positive punishment

Answer 10

Gaining something as a punishment (having to wash dishes as punishment)

Question 11

Negative punishment

Answer 11

Losing something as a punishment (having phone taken away)

Question 12

Real world application: operant conditioning

Answer 12

Token economies - used in schools, prisons and patients to reduce negative behaviours

Question 13

Strength of the Behaviourist approach

Answer 13

Praised for being highly scientific - this is because they only study observable behaviour and ignore concepts which cannot be observed and easily tested. Due to the standardised procedures used, the research is also highly replicable.

Question 14

Weakness of Behaviourist approach

Answer 14

Criticised for being reductionist