Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
What is the behaviourist approach in simple terms?
Explains behaviour through two processes classical and operant conditioning. Watson and skinner said all humans and non humans learn in the same way
What is classical conditioning?
A type of learning which occurs through the association of unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus
How does classical conditioning work?
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
Example of classical conditioning?
Pavlovs Dog
What is extinction in classical conditioning?
If the bell isn’t paired with food anymore the salvation stops
What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?
The salvation might come back when the bell rings unexpectedly
What is generalisation is classical conditioning?
Slightly different bells can make dog salivate
What is operant conditioning?
Where behaviour is learned through consequences
What does reinforcement do in operant conditioning?
Increases chance of repeating behaviour
What is punishment in operant conditioning?
Decreases chance of repeating behaviour
What is positive reinforcement?
You do something to get a reward (hw an get praised)
What is negative reinforcement?
You do something to avoid being unpleasant (e.g wearing a coat)
What does punishment cause?
It reduces the chance of that behaviour happening again
What’s skinners box?
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.
Explain classical conditioning and little Albert phobia?
Watson and Rayner showed how classical conditioning can cause a phobia.
Results of little alberts phobia?
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)
What are the differences between classical and operant conditioning?
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
Strength of behaviouralism?
Uses highly controlled lab experiments and is reliable. Results are more trustworthy. By focusing on observable behaviour makes psychology more scientific.
Strength of behaviourism real life?
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.
Weakness of behaviouralism?
Claims all behaviour is shaped from past experiences leaving no room for free will. Easy to explain animal behaviour but not human.
Weakness of rat experiments?
the rats were physically harmed and violated ethics. Albert was also subjected to psychological harm. Today these would be unethical
