Individualistic - Skinner

Question 1

[SKINNER] -Behaviourist Theories

Explain skinner’s theory

Answer 1

Operant conditioning (Learning by consequence)
Rewards and punishments.
Reinforcements - Reinforced behaviour tends to be repeated.
Not reinforced behaviour tends to be extinguished

Question 2

[SKINNER]
Explain the Skinner Box

Answer 2

Rat accidentally hits the leavers and gets food. It learns =

The rat pulls the lever for food. (Rewarded for pulling lever) - Reinforced Behaviour

When rat pulls lever, it gets shocked through grid on the floor. - Not reinforced behaviour

Question 3

[SKINNER]
Explain Positive Reinforcement.

Answer 3

Rewarding someone to reinforce behaviour

Question 4

[SKINNER]
Explain Punishment.

Answer 4

Giving something unpleasant (Prison Sentence, etc) or removing something pleasant (freedom, etc)

Question 5

[SKINNER]
Explain Negative Reinforcement

Answer 5

Removing an unpleasant stimuli (E.G: Taking a certain amount of time off a criminal’s prison sentence for good behaviour)

Question 6

[SKINNER]
Explain Positive Punishment

Answer 6

Giving an undesirable consequence (E.G: A prison sentence)

Question 7

[SKINNER]
Explain Negative Punishment

Answer 7

Removing something desirable (E.G: Freedom lol)

Question 8

[SKINNER]
Application to criminality.

Explain some negative and positive consequences of criminal behaviour.

Answer 8

Positive: The adrenaline rush, material gain (robbing), attention they receive (publicity)

Negative: Prison sentence, fines, death penalty

Question 9

[SKINNER]
Application to Criminality

Explain how the findings of the Skinner Box (Scientific Research) account for criminality

Answer 9

If criminal behaviour results in a desirable outcome (reward) it is likely to be repeated.

If criminal behaviour results in undesirable outcome (punishment) it is unlikely to be repeated.

Question 10

[SKINNER]
Explain the strengths of Skinner’s Theory.

Answer 10

+ Scientific research (An experiment carried out) - Skinner box.

+ Explains that if criminals aren’t punished harsh enough, it will increase the chance of reoffending.

+ Direct experience with the environment can lead to criminal behaviour (eg: media, family, friends)

Question 11

[SKINNER]
Explain the weaknesses of Skinner’s Theory

Answer 11

Some people choose to be criminals (Freewill)

Ignores the nature side of the debate

If some criminals haven’t had direct experience, why are they still criminal?