Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is the research method used in the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

Laboratory study.

Question 2

Define classical conditioning:

Answer 2

Learning through the association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned response, producing a conditioned stimulus associated with a conditioned response.

Question 3

Define operant conditioning;

Answer 3

A method of learning where behaviour is influenced by its consequences, through positive and negative reinforcement.

Question 4

What are the two key studies that support the behaviourist approach:

Answer 4

• Pavlov’s dog study
• Skinner’s box

Question 5

Outline Pavlov’s dog study:

Answer 5

Through classical conditioned, the dogs learnt to associate a bell (neutral stimulus into a conditioned stimulus) with food (stimulus) which would produce the salivation response (unconditioned response into a conditioned response)

Question 6

Outline Skinner’s box study:

Answer 6

Rat was placed into a box with a lever that when pressed according to the signal light would release food (positive reinforcement). When the rat pressed the lever not at the signal light, the rat would receive an electric shock (negative reinforcement)

Question 7

Name the four evaluation points for the behaviourist approach:

Answer 7

• Well controlled research (S)
• Real world application (S)
• Environmental determinism (L)
• Ethical issues (L)

Question 8

Explain the evaluation point ‘well controlled research (S)’ for the behaviourist approach:

Answer 8

• Approach is based on well-controlled research (have scientific credibility)
• Highly controlled lab settings mean that cause-and-effect relationships can be established through the removal of extraneous variables.

Question 9

Explain the evaluation point ‘real world application (S)’ for the behaviourist approach:

Answer 9

• The principles of conditioning can be applied to real-life behaviours (has widespread application)
• Basis of token economy systems used in prisons and psychiatric wards.

Question 10

Explain the evaluation point ‘environmental determinism (L)’ for the behaviourist approach:

Answer 10

• Sees all behaviour as conditioned by its past conditioning experiences
• Does not consider the impact of free-will on behaviour (Skinner himself said that free-will is an illusion).

Question 11

Explain the evaluation point ‘ethical issues (L)’ for the behaviourist approach:

Answer 11

• Although procedures such as the skinner box were useful to ensure scientific credibility, ethical issues arise.
• The rats in the Skinner box were purposely underfed (so they would be hungry) and kept in cramped conditions.

Question 12

Behaviourist approach - nature or nurture

Answer 12

Nurture

Question 13

Which three approaches are reductionist?

Answer 13

Behavioural
Biological
Psychodynamic

Question 14

What is reductionism?

Answer 14

The belief that human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into its constituent parts.

Question 15

Which two approaches support hard determinism?

Answer 15

• Biological
• Behaviourist

Question 16

What is determinism?

Answer 16

Belief that all behaviour has an internal or external cause and is thus predictable.

Question 17

How is abnormal or faulty behaviour treated for the behaviourist approach?

Answer 17

Systematic desensitisation