Evaluation : behaviorism

Question 1

Real-life application.

Answer 1

for example, systematic desensitization based on classical conditioning is used in the treatment of phobias. also been used to explain attachment.
another example, token economy system- has been used successfuly in institutions such as prisons. by rewarding appropriate behaviors with tokens that can b exchanged for privileges.

Question 2

applies to animals more than humans

Answer 2

many experiments were carried out on animals we are diff cognitively and psychologically. humans have diff social norms and moral values, therefore, we might behave differently from animals.

Question 3

mechanistic

Answer 3

animals are seen as passive in their learning with little conscious thought influencing their behaviors other approaches recognize the importance of mental events in the learning process

Question 4

extra evaluation.

Answer 4

dererminism- sees all behaviour as determined by our past experience.
ignored free will claims its an illusion.
unethical- animals exposed to stressful conditions which may have affected the way they reacted to the experimental situation.

Question 5

Are the research methods used scientific?

Answer 5

The behaviorist approach uses lab experiments that are highly controlled therefore they
are replicable. Furthermore, it measures observable behaviors, therefore no interpretations
are required therefore the data is objective.
However, the behaviorists use animal experiments as it assumes that humans learn in the
same way than animals.