Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is the behaviourist approach in simple terms?

Answer 1

Explains behaviour through two processes classical and operant conditioning. Watson and skinner said all humans and non humans learn in the same way

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

A type of learning which occurs through the association of unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus

Question 3

How does classical conditioning work?

Answer 3

1) A natural trigger like food(un stim) makes an automatic response (saliva) un response
2) During learning a neutral thing like a bell is paired with the food which then causes the neutral thing to get same reaction.
3) After learning the neutral bell becomes a conditioned response and salvation becomes conditioned

Question 4

Example of classical conditioning?

Answer 4

Pavlovs Dog

Question 5

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

Answer 5

If the bell isn’t paired with food anymore the salvation stops

Question 6

What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?

Answer 6

The salvation might come back when the bell rings unexpectedly

Question 7

What is generalisation is classical conditioning?

Answer 7

Slightly different bells can make dog salivate

Question 8

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 8

Where behaviour is learned through consequences

Question 9

What does reinforcement do in operant conditioning?

Answer 9

Increases chance of repeating behaviour

Question 10

What is punishment in operant conditioning?

Answer 10

Decreases chance of repeating behaviour

Question 11

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 11

You do something to get a reward (hw an get praised)

Question 12

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 12

You do something to avoid being unpleasant (e.g wearing a coat)

Question 13

What does punishment cause?

Answer 13

It reduces the chance of that behaviour happening again

Question 14

What’s skinners box?

Answer 14

used a rat to show ho positive and negative reinforcement works.
- The rat used a lever to get food which encouraged it to press it more
- Also pressed the lever to avoid it getting an electric shock and getting an unpleasant experience.

Question 15

Explain classical conditioning and little Albert phobia?

Answer 15

Watson and Rayner showed how classical conditioning can cause a phobia.

Question 16

Results of little alberts phobia?

Answer 16

Little Albert paired the rat with a loud and scary noise (un stimulus). This made Albert cry (un response). Overtime the rat became conditioned and his crying was the conditioned response. If the loud noise had stopped being paired with the rat the phobia would have faded (extinction)

Question 17

What are the differences between classical and operant conditioning?

Answer 17

classical = Happens by associating two things and it is passive meaning individual doesn’t have to do anything to learn.
operant = Learning happens through consequences and is active

Question 18

Strength of behaviouralism?

Answer 18

Uses highly controlled lab experiments and is reliable. Results are more trustworthy. By focusing on observable behaviour makes psychology more scientific.

Question 19

Strength of behaviourism real life?

Answer 19

In prisons inmates earn tokens for cleaning their cells or avoiding fights. Tokens can be traded for extra tv time or other positives. Shows how it has improved.

Question 20

Weakness of behaviouralism?

Answer 20

Claims all behaviour is shaped from past experiences leaving no room for free will. Easy to explain animal behaviour but not human.

Question 21

Weakness of rat experiments?

Answer 21

the rats were physically harmed and violated ethics. Albert was also subjected to psychological harm. Today these would be unethical