behaviourist perspective Flashcards
what are the 3 key assumptions
-psychology should study observable behaviour
-we are products of our environment
-we acquire our behaviour through learning
explain the assumption that psychology should study observable behaviour
observable behaviour should be objectively and scientifically measured. Theories need to be supported by data obtained through controlled observation and measurement of behaviour
explain the assumption that we are products of our environment
we do not have free will but are governed by the environment, a persons environment determines their behaviour
explain the assumption that we acquire our behaviour through learning
we learn new behaviour through classical or operant conditioning or social learning theory
what two studies support this perspective
Bandura and Chaney
what are the two strengths of this perspective
-takes a scientific approach
-has many useful applications
the perspective takes a scientific approach with the use of well controlled experiments which reduce the effect of extraneous variables and enable cause and effect to be established
in banduras study on imitated aggression extraneous variables were controlled through the use of a one way mirror. This meant the children were unaware of the fact that they were being watched and therefore didnt change their behaviour due to demand characteristics
the perspective is useful as it has many applications. It provides guidance regarding how behaviours are learnt and suggests the environment can be altered to increase the chances of behaviour occuring
in Chaneys study the environment (features of the medication) was altered. The standard inhaler was made into an incentive device with a spinner on it that improved medical adherence with positive reinforcment
what are the 2 weaknesses of this perspective
-can be reductionist
-uses controlled investigations which can lack ecological validity
the behaviour perspective can be reductionist, therefore only considers a narrow range of explanations for behaviours. It ignores mental processes and just focuses on stimulus> response
in chaneys study the only explanation for the behaviour was the incentive device. However other explanations such as the parents encouragment was not considered
the behaviourist perspectives use of controlled investigations can often lack ecological validity, therefore findings from studies cannot be generalised into real life settings
since banduras study is a controlled observtion it does not have ecological validity due to the fact the behaviour does not represent everyday behaviour. For example, the children being watched through a one way mirror is not everyday behaviour
one application of the behaviourtist perspective is
the use of positive reinforcement to increase medical adherence
explain how the application is put into practice
when pharmacological companies are generating medication or treatments for children it is important that they consider that including incenticve devices and positive reinforcement can increase the chances that children will wake take the prescrived medication
link assumption to perspective
this is behaviourist perspective as the environment is altering the behaviour of the child, by increasing the taking of the medication
