learning approach -behaviourism

Question 1

Assumptions

Answer 1

. humans born as blank slate
. all behaviour learnt from environment so can be unlearnt
. our behaviour all due to learning so free will not possible

Question 2

Why can the behaviourist approach be argued that it is scientific?

Answer 2

. behaviourists only study behaviour observed and measured
. Watson rejected introspection - too subjective - not measurable
. behaviourists rely on lab experiments - better way maintaining control - objectively measuring behaviour
. believe animals can replace humans in research - learn in same way as humans

Question 3

Behaviourist theories

Answer 3

. classical conditioning
. operant conditioning

Question 4

Feature 1: classical conditioning

Answer 4

. Pavlov explained how behaviour learnt through stimulus response association
. learning a neutral stimulus paired with unconditioned stimulus produce unconditioned response
. if pairing repeated individual learn associate neutral stimulus with unconditioned stimulus
. so neutral stimulus = conditioned stimulus creates conditioned response

Question 5

Classical conditioning: simplified

Answer 5

NS -> NR
UCS -> UCR
NS + UCS -> UCR
CS -> CR

Question 6

Pavlov’s study

Answer 6

. controlled environment
. dogs conditioned to salivate at sound of a bell
. NS = bell - no response
. UCS = food
. UCR = salivation
. dogs were presented with food rang bell at same time
. repeated association many times
. dogs learnt to associate food UCS with noise of bell NS
. CS = bell
. CR = salivation

Question 7

Feature 2: operant conditioning

Answer 7

. emphasises importance of consequence
. learning through rewards and punishment
. Skinner explain how behaviour influenced by consequence of our own actions
. focuses on importance reinforcement in increasing a behaviour and punishment in stopping behaviour

Question 8

Types of reinforcement

Answer 8

. positive reinforcement
. negative reinforcement
. both increase likelihood behaviour repeated

Question 9

Positive reinforcement

Answer 9

. reward given for a behaviour
. behaviour is encouraged/reinforced
. behaviour is repeated to gain same reward

Question 10

Positive reinforcement in Skinner’s research

Answer 10

. hungry rates placed in Skinner’s box
. every time rat pressed lever rewarded with food
. behaviour repeated
. rat conditioned through positive reinforcement
. press lever to get same pleasant outcome

Question 11

Negative reinforcement

Answer 11

. performing a behaviour
. to avoid/remove unpleasant consequence
. behaviour is repeated to avoid unpleasant consequence again

Question 12

Negative reinforcement in Skinner’s research

Answer 12

. ran electrical current across floor
. caused rats discomfort
. rats would move around until knocked lever
. lever stop current
. rats repeat behaviour as learned by pressing lever
. avoid unpleasant consequence of pain

Question 13

Punishment

Answer 13

. receiving unpleasant consequence for behaviour
. that should stop behaviour
. decreases likelihood behaviour repeated

Question 14

AO3 for behaviourism: environmental determinism

Question 15

AO3 for behaviourism: practical applications

Question 16

AO3 for behaviourism: environmental reductionism

Question 17

AO3 for behaviourism: scientific methods

Question 18

AO3 for behaviourism: animal bias