Evaluating the behaviourist approach Flashcards
One strength of the behaviourist approach is…
P- It is scientific. It uses objective methods to measure observable behaviours, adopting scientific methodology and quantitative methods.
E- For example, the research done by both Pavlov and Sinner was highly controlled animal research that allowed them to clearly demonstrate how conditioning (both classical and operant) influenced an animal’s behaviour.
E- This is a strength because it suggests that behaviourist research has scientific credibility
Another strength of the behaviourist approach is…
P- It has successful applications, with classical and operant conditioning principles being used in therapy and education.
E- For example, systematic desensitization is a type of exposure therapy. In the 1950s, it was developed by Wolpe. This type of therapy is used to change the association someone has with a phobia in order to substitute a fear response with a relaxation response.
E- This is a strength because these techniques have been successful in eliminating maladaptive behaviours in real life and this increase the value of the behaviourist approach because it has this widespread application.
One weakness of the behaviourist approach is…
P- It only focuses on nurture. It views behaviour as being the result of our environment and upbringing.
E- For example, as John Watson argues, if we shape a child’s environment enough we can ‘train them’ to become a doctor, lawyer artist, beggar-man or thief.
E- This is a weakness because it is ignoring all nature and biology, and the role of nurture and environment is exaggerated. If learning is all that mattered then everyone could become a surgeon or a rocket scientist. Our behaviour is governed by many internal factors such as motivation , emotion and innate abilities.
Another weakness of the behaviourist approach is…
P- It is environmentally deterministic. We passively respond to our environment and our behaviour is influenced and controlled almost exclusively by the association we make and the rewards/ punishments provided by our environment.
E- For example, Skinner suggested that everything we do is the sum total of our reinforcement history. According to Skinner, our past conditioning history determined the outcome.
E- This is a weakness because it is completely ignoring free will. It suggests we have no personal/ moral responsibility for our behaviour.
