Behaviourist Approach AO3

Question 1

Weakness 1- environmental determinism

Answer 1

P: behaviourist explanation can be criticised for environmental determinism
E: approach states that an individual is controlled by external factors such as learning through stimulus, response and association or being rewarded for a behaviour that inevitably cause behaviour
E: for example…
L: neglects role of free will and choice that individuals have. Limiting behaviourist explanation of human behaviour.

Question 2

Strength 1- prac apps

Answer 2

P: practical applications
E: principles of theory, that behaviour is caused by CC has led to the treatment of systematic desensitisation.
E: effective in treating phobias by helping the individual to unlearn their maladaptive association to a phobic stimulus by gradually exposing them to their phobia whilst they apply relaxation techniques.
L: behaviourist explanation is an important part of applied psychology as it helps treat people in the real world

Question 3

Strength 2- scientific methods

Answer 3

P: behaviourist psychologists use scientific methods
E- such as lab experiments to investigate human behaviour
E- for example, Pavlov used objective and empirical techniques such as measuring the amount of saliva the dogs reduced during conditioning.
L: could be argued that this increases he overall internal validity of behaviourist explanation therefore raising psychology’s scientific status.