Evaluation Of The Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

Practical applications

Answer 1

CC lead to the development of treatments for anxiety based disorders such as phobias. Systematic involves extinguishing a learned fear response, relaxation response fear response. Found to effective with a range of phobias

Question 2

This means that the behavioural approach can be used to

Answer 2

Improve the lives of people in the real world

Question 3

Scientific

Answer 3

Empirical method

Skinner, controlled conditions, manipulation of consequences, cause and effect.

Question 4

This means that the behavioural approach has established

Answer 4

Credible and accurate conclusions about the causes of behaviour, based on more than just common sense

Question 5

Limitations of animal research and animal studies

Answer 5

Classical and operant conditioning principle based on studies of Pavlov and skinner, tell us little of human behaviour, humans have freewill, behaviour not entirely determined by reinforcement or associations

Question 6

This means that the behavioural approach may not provide

Answer 6

Valid explanation of how behaviours are learnt in human beings. Can’t generalise as extrapolation is invalid

Question 7

Reductionist

Answer 7

Reducing it to basic level of simple reflex response to stimuli
Can’t fully understand complex behaviour without taking into account other factors such as biology or cognition

Seligman argues evolution, different survival need. Biological preparedness

Question 8

This means that the behavioural approach

Answer 8

Oversimplies the cause of the behaviours which may in fact may be infact may be an interaction of both nature and nurture