Learning Theories

Question 1

What are the key points of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

• we are born a blank slate and behaviour is learnt from experience.
• the mind is a black box which should not be studied.
• reinforcement strengthens, punishments stops.
• behaviour is determined by the environment, no free will.

Question 2

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 2

Where behaviour becomes more/less likely as a result of its consequence.

Question 3

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 3

Positive/pleasant consequence to increase likelihood of behaviour being repeated.

Question 4

What is negative reinforcement

Answer 4

The taking away of something bad to make behaviour more likely to be repeated.

Question 5

What is punishment?

Answer 5

The giving of something bad to reduce the likelihood of behaviour being repeated.

Question 6

What are the strengths of operant conditioning?

Answer 6

• very scientific, all behaviour is observable and measurable.
• can be used to predict how people will behave in certain environments, prisons are made to produce good behaviour.
• animals can be used and so does not raise ethical issues.

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of operant conditioning?

Answer 7

• there is denial of free will.
• issue of generalising from animals to humans as human behaviour is far more complex.
• offers the possibility of controlling peoples behaviour through manipulation of the environment.

Question 8

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 8

When an observer learns a behaviour has been reinforced meaning they are more likely to produce the behaviour. E.g., if a role model is.rewarded for criminal behaviour the observer is more likely to imitate this.

Question 9

What characteristics of a model makes it more likely for the observer to imitate behaviour?

Answer 9

1. Models they see as most like themselves, e.g., gender, age.
2. The like-ability of the model.
3. High status/ famous people.

Question 10

What are the four mediating factors?

Answer 10

Attention(pay attention)
Retention(retain behaviour)
Motor reproduction(ability to produce)
Motivational(motivation to copy)

Question 11

What are the strengths of the SLT?

Answer 11

• there is lots of evidence that makes it fairly obvious that learning plays a role in offending.
• there is lots of research that shows children can learn behaviour through observation. Research also shows willingness to imitate is affected by the modes consequences.