BEHAVIOURIST PERSPECTIVE Flashcards
Assumption
Majority of behaviour is LEARNED from the environment AFTER birth.
Through classical conditioning (association) Operant conditioning (punishment/ reinforcement)
or social learning theory (imitation/observation)
Extreme NURTURE side of nature/nurture debate.
Bandura can be explained from the behaviourist perspective:
Explained results of his study in terms of observational learning.
Children learned aggression towards bobo doll by first observing, then imitating model (social learning theory)
Chaney can be explained from the behaviourist perspective:
Explained results in terms of operant conditioning. Children received positive reinforcement for correct use of Funhaler in form of incentive toy that could whistle & wirl.
Freud can be explained from the behaviourist perspective:
Hans phobia can be explained through classical conditioning, horses became associated with fear. He was frightened by a horse falling over, developed phobia as a result.
Behaviourist perspective argues in order for psychology to be scientific…
Should focus on OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOUR which can be measured OBJECTIVELY (using experiments) rather than on things like cognitive processes ( can only be inferred ).
We acquire our behaviour through learning.
Behaviourists are concerned with 3 types of learning:
1) Classical conditioning
2) Operant conditioning
3) Social learning theory
Classical conditioning
Learning through association, we associate stimulus with reponse, behaviour is then learned through conditioning.
This explanation of learning could explain how Little Hans acquired phobia of horses.
Operant conditioning
Learning through consequences of our actions, when performing behaviour that has a good consequence, we are more likely to repeat it. (reinforcement)
Bad consequences make us less likely to behave that way again.
Social learning theory
Behaviour is learned through observation, later, imitation.
Behaviour is copied from role model, learner identifies with role model, more likely to imitate behaviour.
Strength of behaviourist perspective
Scientific, usually uses controlled experimental methods.
Based on empirical evidence gathered through manipulation of environmental conditions.
Experiments often quantifiable and replicable.
e.g Bandura; demonstrated modelling can cause increases in aggression by exposing children to aggressive models in controlled lab experiment.
Strength of behaviourist perspective
Useful, offered practical applications, gives knowledge on how behaviour can be modified through conditioning in range of situations.
e.g Chaney showed how compliance to medical regime (asthma) for children can be encouraged using behaviourist techniques of pos/neg reinforcement.
Strength of behaviourist perspective
Provides strong counter argument to nature side of nature/nurture debate.
Highlights role of nurture in learning, showing importance influence environment has on shaping our behaviour.
Weakness of behaviourist perspective
Reductionist, look at complex but reduce to something simpler to be able to study and explain it.
Inores most mental processes, focuses on stimulus and response.
e.g Bandura offers simplistic explanation for aggression simply as learned response, doesn’t consider other factors ( nature & cognition) could also explain it.
Weakness of behaviourist perspective
Raises ethical issues, behavioural techniques are powerful in altering human behaviour, give some people lots of power over behaviour of others.
Punishment to shape behaviour is unethical.
Weakness of behaviourist perspective
Relies often on lab experiments, lack ecological validity, often fails to resemble behaviour people may perform in real life, e.g Bandura- children asked to play with strange adult in unfamiliar room is not typical everyday task, & experience hitting bobo doll is different to real person, bobo doesn’t react.
