Learning approach: Behaviorism Flashcards
What are the two learning approaches?
Behaviourism and social learning theory
What is behaviourism?
It’s a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
What are the two important forms of learning that behaviourists identify?
Classical conditioning and Operant conditioning
What is classical conditioning?
Learning by association. Occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together:
An UCS and a neutral stimulus.
Eventually the neutral stimulus produces the same response that was produced by the unlearned stimulus
Who researched CC?
Pavlov and his dogs
What is Operant conditioning?
A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement of punishment.
Who researched OC?
Skinner
Evaluation of behaviourism
Scientific credibility
Real Life Application
Free Will
Evaluation point: Scientific credibility
Behaviourism emphasised importance on objectivity and replication making it influential in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline.
Evaluation point: Real-life application
Classical conditioning has led to treatments for phobias. Systematic desensitisation is a therapy based on classical conditioning.
Evaluation point: Free Will
Critics claim that Skinner’s studies can tell us little about human behaviour, human beings have free will rather than having their behaviour determined by positive and negative reinforcement.
Skinner argued that free will was merely an illusion and what we believe are behaviours chosen through free will are actually the product of external influences that ‘guide’ our behaviour on a daily basis.
