Behaviourist Perspective

Question 1

What studies are involved?(2)

Answer 1

Bandura (1961)

Chaney (2004)

Question 2

What did early behaviourist believe?

Answer 2

That our behaviour was entirely a product of our environment

Question 3

Classical conditioning:

Answer 3

Learning to associate a stimulus with a neutral stimulus.

We might fear being mugged but not a bus stop. If you get mugged at a bus stop, you’ll fear the bus stop just as much as you do being mugged

Question 4

Operant conditioning:

Answer 4

Learning through consequences of actions

Skinner and his rats

This explains complex behaviours but not their origin

Question 5

Observational learning:

Answer 5

Imitating behaviours modelled by someone else (Bandura and the bobo doll).

Question 6

Strengths of behaviourist perspective:

Answer 6

• good scientific principles (studies are highly reliable- in a lab (Bandura)
• practical applications- an understanding of real world behaviours and why people act they way they do- classical conditions can help treat mental disorders

Question 7

Weakness of behaviourist perspective:

Answer 7

• reductionist- doenst take into account peoples gentics and hormones (also mental processes in the brain).
• ethical issues- can alter human behaviour (using punishment to learn)

Question 8

How can it be applied?

Answer 8

Learning about criminals and why they act the way they do