Behavourist Approach & SLT

Question 1

Key assumptions

Answer 1

• psychologists should only study observable, quantifiable behaviour
• all behaviours is learned
• humans are no different from animals and should not be regarded as more complex
• research on animals behaviour is relevant to humans

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

• Ivan Pavlov
• type of learning which an existing involuntary reflex is associated with a new stimulus
• used dogs
• conditioned to associate the sound of a bell (NS) with food (UCS)
• resulted in dogs producing salivation (CR) from sound of bell (CS)

Question 3

Operant conditioning

Answer 3

Skinner suggest Behaviour is result of learning through consequences of our actions
3 types of reinforcement:
-positive reinforcement-when behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence (reward) more likely to be repeated
-negative reinforcement-when a behaviour is followed by the removal of an adverse consequences and is more likely to be repeated
-punishment- when a behaviour is followed by an unpleasant consequence and is less likely to be repeated

Question 4

Skinner

Answer 4

• examine operant conditioning in rats and pigeons
• move around cage and when pressed lever be rewarded with food pellet
• animal learn through positive reinforcement that each time press lever be rewarded
• repeated

Question 5

SLT

Answer 5

• idea of observational learning: learning occurs through the observation and imitation of behaviour performed by role models who model behaviour in a social environment
• recognises importance of cognitive processes
• someone must model an attitude or behaviour
• defined by 4processes: attention, retention, reproduction, motivation

Question 6

Bobo doll experiment-bandura, ross&ross(1961)

Answer 6

• investigate wether aggression can be learned through SLT
• 72 children ages between 3&6
• aggressive model-child played in room while adult hit and shouted at doll
• non aggressive model-child played in a room while adult played quietly with construction
• control group- child did not see a model
• child who saw aggressive model produced more aggressive acts than those in other groups