Learning approaches: Behaviourist approach

Question 1

Assumptions

Behaviourist approach

Answer 1

Only interested in observable & measurable behaviour
Rejected introspection as it involved too many vague concepts
Relied on lab studies for control & objectivity
All behaviour is learned
Baby’s mind = ‘blank slate’ & is written on by experience

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Behaviourist approach

Answer 2

Learning through association
Pavlov (1927) showed how dogs could be conditioned to salivate to sound of a bell if sound was repeatedly presented w/ food
Neutral stimulus (bell) can elicit a conditioned response through association

Question 3

Operant conditioning

Behaviourist approach

Answer 3

Behaviour shaped by consequences
Positive reinforcement - rewarded when behaviour performed
Negative reinforcement - animal/human avoid something unpleasant - outcome is positive experience
Punishment - unpleasant consequence for behaviour
Pos & Neg reinforcement increase likelihood that behaviour will be repeated, punishment decreases it

Question 4

Evaluation: Well-controlled research

Behaviourist approach

Answer 4

Strength - approach based on well-controlled research
Focus on measurement of observable behaviour in labs
Breaks behaviour into basic stimulus-response, extraneous variables are removed, allowing cause & effect relationship to be established
There4, behaviourist explanations have scientific credibility

Question 5

Evaluation: Well-controlled research (Counterpoint)

Behaviourist approach

Answer 5

However, behaviourists may have oversimplified learning process
Reducing behaviour to such simple parts ignores influence of human thought on learning (SLT & cog both look at mental processes)
There4, learning is more complex than observable behaviour

Question 6

Evaluation: Real-world application

Behaviourist approach

Answer 6

Strength - principles of conditioning applied to real-world behaviours
Token economy in prisons & psychs wards - reward appropriate behaviour w/ tokens that can be exhanged for privileges
There4, increases value of approach as it has widespread application

Question 7

Evaluation: Environmental determinism

Behaviourist approach

Answer 7

Limit - all behaviour conditioned by past experiences
Skinner suggested everything we do is sum total of reinforcement history
We may think ‘I made that decision’ but our past conditioning history determined the outcome
Ignores influence of free will
There4, extreme position & ignores influence of conscious decison making processes