Behaviourist Perspective Flashcards
what the behaviourist perspective assume?
The behavioural perspective is based on the idea that when we are born our mind is a ‘tabula rasa’ (a blank slate) and all behaviour is acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment, with our behaviour being shaped by our responses to stimuli.
what is classical conditioning
A type of learning which occurs through associations made between the
unconditioned stimulus and the neutral stimulus. Before conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus
(UCS) produces the unconditioned response (UCR). During conditioning, the neutral stimulus (NS) is
repeatedly paired with the UCS, producing an UCR. After conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes
the conditioned stimulus, producing the conditioned response
what is opperant condtioning?
A type of learning where behaviour is acquired and maintained based on its
consequences. Reinforcement increases the likelihood of the observed behaviour being repeated, whilst punishment (an unpleasant consequence of
behaviour) decreases this likelihood.
What are the two types of reinforcement?
positive and negative. Positive reinforcement occurs when we carry out a behaviour to receive a reward e.g. completing homework to receive praise from a teacher. On theother hand, negative reinforcement occurs when we
carry out a behaviour to avoid negative consequences e.g. completing homework to avoid being given a detention.
what are the stages of social learning theory?
Attention- individual must notice behaviour being modeled / must be influenced by factors
Retention- observer remembers the observed behaviour, encoding it into memory
Reproduction-must be physically and mentally capable to preform observed behaviour
Motivation-observer needs a reason to immitate the behaviour (vicarious reinforcement- seeing model rewarded) (direct reinforcement-recieveing rewards for behaviour)
what is social learning theory?
Social learning theory (SLT) suggests that learning occurs both directly, through classical and operant conditioning, and indirectly, through vicarious reinforcement.
how does bandura link to the behaviourist perspective?
provides empirical support for social learning theory- this shown through childeren imitating the aggressive behaviour of the role model they observe
how does chaney link to the behavioourist perspective?
provides empirical support for opentant conditioning, both positive and negative reinforcement. results found increased adherence due to the positive rienforcemnt provided by the funhaler.
what are strengths of the behaviourist perspective?
Acknowledges the role of human cognition = Human cognitive and decision-making processes may be considered as more complex than that of animals. SLT has the advantage, over behaviourism, that it recognises the role of mediational processes as the conscious and cognitive insight that humans have into their behaviour. Therefore, SLT may be a better explanation of human behaviour, compared to behaviourism.
-emphasises how external factors can influence bahviour- nurture
-practical applications, can use possitive reienforcement in education
What are the weaknesses of the behaviourist perspectve?
determanistic- suggests behaviour is shaped by external facotors and therefore ignoring free will
-reductionist- reduces human behaviour to its component parts, stimuls-reponces patterns
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