Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

what are the assumptions of behaviourist approach

Answer 1

• Animals behave similarly to humans
• Behaviour should be observed only
• Behaviour should be observed in a laboratory setting

Question 2

what is classical conditioning

Answer 2

explained through Pavlov’s research , associating two stimuli together, leading to a transfer of one stimulus to another

Question 3

Identify key points of Pavlov’s research

Answer 3

• Pavlov researched salivation in dogs
• Pavlov used classical conditioning to get dogs to associate food with the sound of bell

Question 4

How did Pavlov explain his research

Answer 4

BEFORE CONDITIONING:
Bell ( NS ) — no response
Food ( UCS ) — Salivate ( UCR )
DURING CONDITIONING:
Bell ( NS ) + Food ( UCS ) —Salivate (UCR)
AFTER CONDITIONING:
Bell ( CS ) — Salivate ( CR )

Question 5

what other significant discoveries about classical conditioning did Pavlov make?

Answer 5

Generalisation, discrimination and extinction

Question 6

what is generalisation?

Answer 6

The CR can transfer a similar stimuli,but different from the original conditioned stimuli

Question 7

what is discrimination?

Answer 7

CR will not generalise to stimuli that is very different to the original conditional stimuli

Question 8

what is extinction?

Answer 8

If the CS continues to be present without the UCS, the CR begins to fade and becomes extinct.

Question 9

what is operant conditioning?

Answer 9

B.F skinner’s theory is that the likelihood of future behaviour is determined by the consequences of past behaviour

Question 10

Identify key points in skinner’s research

Answer 10

• Skinner used rats and pigeons in a Skinner box
• the rat learned the connection between pressing the lever and receiving food, and so he pressed the lever ( positive reinforcement )
• an unpleasant stimuli eg loud noise was present which can be stopped by pressing the lever, increased lever pressing by rat (negative reinforcement)
• an electric shock was given to the rat if the lever was pressed, decreased lever pressing ( punishment )

Question 11

what are schedules of reinforcement in operant conditioning

Answer 11

• if the food is not dispensed every single lever pressed but is predetermined on a schedule, there is a change in response. Skinner discovered that unpredictable reinforcement was more successful than continuous reinforcement.

Question 12

what is shaping in operant conditoning

Answer 12

a process where the complex behaviour is broken down into simple behaviour.
Skinner used pigeons to demonstrate this - teaching them how to play ping pong.