Lesson 2-3: The Behavioural Approach

Question 1

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

Learning through association

Ivan Pavlov

Question 2

Principles of classical conditioning in relation to Pavlovs research

Answer 2

1) Stimulus generalisation
2) Discrimination
3) Extinction
4) Timing
5) Spontaneous recovery

Question 3

Evaluation of classical conditioning

Answer 3

GOOD- Research support
GOOD- apply research to treatments of psychological disorders
BAD- Lack ecological validity (carried out in labs)
BAD- Fails to explain how adults learn new behaviours
BAD- 50% of dog phobias, questions classical conditioning

Question 4

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 4

Learning through reinforcement and consequences of one’s behaviour.
Skinners experiment

Question 5

Define reinforcement

Answer 5

Consequence that makes a behaviour more likely to occur.
Positive: receiving reward when certain behaviour performed (primary and secondary)
Negative: occurs when we avoid something unpleasant

Question 6

Define punishment.

Answer 6

Positive: adding something unpleasant as consequence
Negative: taking away something

Question 7

Other principles of operant conditioning.

Answer 7

1) Extinction

2) Spontaneous recovery

Question 8

Schedules of reinforcement

Answer 8

1) Continuous reinforcement
2) Fixed interval
3) Fixed ratio

Question 9

Evaluation of operant conditioning.

Answer 9

GOOD- Research evidence: Token economies, Schizophrenia
GOOD- Skinners study relies on experimental methods. Highly controlled to find cause and effect
BAD- Generalisation of rats to humans
BAD- Ethical issues of Skinner Box
BAD- ignores biological approach

Question 10

Overall evaluation.

Answer 10

GOOD: Real life applications
GOOD: Scientific credibility
BAD: Ethical issues with animal experiments
BAD: Environmental Determinism
BAD: Criticised by biological approach, Schizophrenia