Behaviourist Perspective Evaluation Flashcards
Principles of Behaviourist Perspective
All behaviour is learnt through the enviroment
test behaviour is learned from enviro through observing and measuring responses to stimuli in scientific experiments
Classical conditioning
learning through association
UNS turned to CR
UCS > NS > UCR
CS(NS) > CR
Little Albert
-procedure + results
Albert was unafraid of white rat.
He was shown the white rate + when he reached out a loud noise was made with a mental bar behind his head
Little albert started to show fear response to rat on his own. He was classically conditioned to be afraid of stimulus
Operant conditioning
learning through consequences
= reinforcement (rewards)
= punishment
positive = giving something
negative = taking something away
Social learning theory
- types of reinforcement
- identification
- self-efficacy
- token economy programmes
learning through observation and imitation
vicarious reinforcement = when role model is rewarded and this increases likelihood learner will imitate behaviour
direct reinforcement = individual receives rewards for coping behaviour
self-reinforcement = enjoys copying behaviour so more likely to repeat (e.g.. adrenaline rush)
identifications - extent to which individual relates to model, must feel they are similar enough to experience the same outcomes in situation
self-efficacy - how effective a person thinks they will be sucessfully adopting to behaviour (relates to individual differences)
token economy - tokens for desired behaviour, can be exchanged later for something person wants
Evaluation of social learning theory
people might not always copy them when opportunity rises
they could not have motivation / the costs might outweigh the benefits
could not identify with the model
Evaluation of operant conditioning
rewards must to given consistently for them to work
= people may feel no point in bothering as not being credited for their behaviour
Evaluation of classical conditioning
won’t work unless the person is committed to changing
Operant conditioning weaknesses + strength (Section C)
= reductionist
= deterministic
= less scientific - chaney field experiment
Social learning theory - strength + weakneses
= social reductionism
= less deterministic
(self-efficacy, identification,
motivation)
= interactionist approach (nature+nurture) - bandura
= more scientific - bandura was lab experiment
Similarities between Bandura + Chaney
Samples - children of similar age
Bandura - 72 children ages 3-5yrs
Chaney - 32 children ages 1.5-6yrs
Both collected quantitative data
Bandura - counted amount of imitative + non-imitative aggression shown by children
Chaney - measured attitude scores to funhaler vs standard spacer + no. children who had taken medication day before
Differences between Bandura and Chaney
Different research methods
Bandura - lab experiment
IV manipulated under controlled conditions (one-way mirror)
Chaney - field experiment
IV was manipulated in natural environment (homes)
Different experimental design
Bandura - Independent measures
Chaney - Repeated measures
Strengths of Behaviourist perspective
+ scientific status
> controlled lab experiments
> Chaney (operant conditioning)
+ practical applications
eg. understanding role models affect childrens behaviour
understand behaviour in school
Weakness of Behaviourist Perspective
Reductionist
> operant conditioning ifnore mental processes + focus on stimulis and response
> social learning theroy
Ethical issues
> positive reinforcement can be used to alter behaviour and can be used negativly
> early treatments for autism used electric shocks to discourage behaviour
