Blank slate and Humans and Animals learn in similar ways

Question 1

What does the behaviourist approach believe?

Answer 1

We are all born ‘tabula rasa’ which means blank slate

Question 2

What does blank slate mean?

Answer 2

Newborns are born with basic drives but are not born with innate characteristics, traits or behaviours. As we grow up we learn from our environment which shapes our personality. Within the constraints of biology (someone 6ft 7 isn’t going to be a jockey etc) as long as we have the right environment we’ll grow up to be anything

Question 3

What is the theory of continuity between humans and animals?

Answer 3

Evolution establishes that humans and animals have common origins, and the only real difference is their evolutionary history. Many behavioural and biological principles apply to both humans and animals. The study of animals is therefore a legitimate way to understand the things that we have in common.