Behaviourist Approach- classical and operant conditioning (booklet 2) Flashcards
What do behaviourists believe?
We are born a ‘tabula rasa’ - Latin for blank slate
All behaviour is learned through interaction with our environment
Only observable behaviour can be scientifically studied
Humans and animals share principles of learning therefore we can conduct research on animals and generalise findings to human behaviour
Classical conditioning
Before - NS -> no response UCS -> UCR
During - NS + UCS -> UCR
After - CS -> CR
Proposed by Ivan Pavlov
Suggested when we are presented with two stimuli simultaneously we form an association so when we experience one stimuli we expect the other
Usually happens with multiple pairings but can occur through one trial learning
Neutral stimulus (NS)
An event that does not evoke a response
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
An event that provokes a reflexive and unlearned response
Unconditioned response (UCR)
The innate reflexive behaviour displayed when exposed to an unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned stimulus (CS)
An event that produces a learned response (was previously the NS)
Conditioned response (CR)
A learned reflexive behaviour produced to a conditioned stimulus (previously the UCR)
Generalisation
When stimuli similar to the CS produce the CR
Extinction
When the association between the CS and UCS is lost because the CS has been presented a number of times without the UCS
Pavlov’s dogs
Before - NS (bell) -> no response UCS (food) -> UCR (salivation)
During - NS (bell) + UCS (food) -> UCR (salivation) - forms association
After - CS (bell) -> CR (salivation)
Watson and Raynor’s research
Little Albert
Before- NS (rat) -> no response UCS (loud noise) -> UCR (fear)
During- NS (rat) + UCS (loud noise) -> UCR (fear) - forms an association
After- CS (rat) + CR (fear)
Operant conditioning
B.F. Skinner believed behaviour is learnt through reward and punishment
Reinforcing a behaviour increases the likelihood of displaying it - by gaining something desirable (positive reinforcement) or by avoiding something unpleasant (negative reinforcement)
Punishing behaviours decreases the likelihood of an individual displaying it
Positive reinforcement
Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behaviour
Negative reinforcement
Removing an undesirable stimulus to increase a behaviour
Punishment
Decreasing the likelihood of displaying a behaviour by giving an undesirable consequence
Skinners rats
Skinner created a piece of equipment called an operant conditioning chamber - a Skinner box
Isolated the subject from its external environment and contains a behaviour indicator eg a lever
When lever is pressed it delivers a response
Skinners rats positive reinforcement
Hungry rat placed in box
Rat accidentally knocks lever and releases food
Rat quickly learns pressing lever gives reward of food so presses more often
Skinners rats negative reinforcement
Rat placed in box and subject to unpleasant electric shock
Rat accidentally knocks lever which stops electric current briefly
Rat learns to press lever when current activates
Continuous reinforcement
Animal reinforced after every specific behaviour
Slow learning rate
Quick extinction rate
Partial reinforcement
Animal only reinforced some of the time
Fixed reinforcement- reinforcement given when animal has done the behaviour a specific amount of times- quick learning rate and medium extinction rate
Variable reinforcement- behaviour is reinforced after an unspecified and unpredictable amount of times- quick learning rate and slow extinction rate
Evaluate the behaviourist approach - animal research
Weakness is it generalises findings from animal research to humans
Pavlovs research on classical conditioning was on dogs, Skinners research on operant conditioning was on rats- findings have been extrapolated
An issue because humans have a larger more complex brain with greater cognitive capacity so learning may look different in humans
Evaluate the behaviourist approach - animal research counterpoint
Even though much of supporting research is on animals, behaviourists believe humans and animals share principles of learning
Also research was extended to humans- little Albert case study showed humans experience same effects of classical conditioning
Evaluate behaviourist approach- real life/practical application
Can be used to treat mental health disorders
Explanation of phobias- association is formed between previously neutral stimulus and negative event
Behaviourist approach led to development of systematic desensitisation and flooding where association is reversed
Adds credibility to approach
Evaluate behaviourist approach- conditioning real world application
Principles of conditioning applied to real life
Operant conditioning forms basis of token economy systems used in institutions eg prisons, schools, psychiatric wards
Reward desirable behaviour with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges
Increases value of behaviourist approach as it has widespread application
