L.A Ao3

Question 1

Learning approach Ao3 behaviourism limitation

Answer 1

Behaviourist explanation for human behaviour criticised for environmental determinism

As it it states and individuals behaviour is controlled by external factors

Such as learning through stimulas response and associations (classical conditioning)

Or being rewarded for behaviour (operant conditioning) such as a dog associating a bell with food leading to salivation

That inevitably cause behaviours

Neglects the role of free will leaving individuals feeling like they have no control over behaviour

Limiting appropriateness of behaviourist explanation of human behaviour

Question 2

Learning approach Ao3 behaviourism strength

Answer 2

Practical applications principles of the theory that behaviour is cause by classical conditioning has lead to SD

This is effective in helping to unlearn maladaptive association by gradually exposing them to their phobia

Whilst they apply relaxation techniques

Thus behaviourist explanation of human behaviour is an important part of applied psychology as it help to treat people in the real world

(Only based on classical and not operant)

Question 3

Learning approach Ao3 behaviourism limitation

Answer 3

Criticised for environmental reductionism

Reduces complex human behaviour down to simple basic units

Eg learning through associations (classical conditioning ) or rewards and reinforcements (operant conditioning)

E.g negative reinforcement is realvent to phobias as avoiding phobic stimulas is maintained

Neglects the holistic approach which would take into account how a persons culture and social context would influence human behaviour

Behaviourist explanation may lack validity as it doesn’t allow us to understand the behaviour in context

Question 4

Learning approach Ao3 strength

Answer 4

Behaviourist psychologist use scientific methods such as lab experiments

So it uses scientific enqueuiry to investigate human behaviour

Pavlov used controlled environments alongside objective and empirical techniques such as measuring amount of saliva dogs produced

During conditioning in learning through association

Thus could be argued this increases overall internal validity of behaviour at explanation of human behvaioir

Raising psychology’s scientifc status