Behaviourist evaluation

Question 1

What are the strengths of the behaviourist approch?

Answer 1

• Scientific approach
• Focuses on here and now
• Successful application

Question 2

How is the approach scientific?

Answer 2

It is scientific because it uses behaviour that can be observed. Feelings are operationalised in terms of stimulus and response behaviours.

This is useful because behaviour can be analysed, quantified and compared. The approach can also be proven and disproven.

Question 3

How does the approach focus on the here and now?

Answer 3

The approach focuses on the here and now by not looking at the cause of symptoms, and only the current symptoms.

Aversion therapy is used to treat alcohol teaches a new stimulus response link. For example the link between alcohol and nausea.

Systematic desensitisation is used to teach a new stimulus response link. For example the fearful situation linked with relaxation.

Question 4

Successful application?

Answer 4

The theory has successfully been applied to aversion therapy for treatment of addictions and classical conditioning for treatment of phobias.

Question 5

What are the weaknesses of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 5

• Emphasis on nurture
• Determinism
• More relevance to animals then humans

Question 6

Emphasis of nature of nurture?

Answer 6

Focuses on the environment entirely. Ignores nature.

Question 7

More relevant to animals then humans?

Answer 7

The approach is based of animals with the majority of early research being focused on animals.