Mental Health: Behaviourism

Question 1

What does behaviourism argue?

(& dates)

Answer 1

Our behaviour is determined by what we learn from our immediate environment, particularly during childhood, and this leads us to become conditioned (moulded) to behave in certain ways.

Behaviourists maintain that we are NOT BIOLOGICAL MACHINES, we are in face BORN AS BLANK SLATES (Tabula rasa) and do not consciously act; rather we react to environmental stimuli.

Surfaced early 1900s.
Primary perspective: 1920s -> 1950s.

Question 2

Who is John Watson?

-> What did he argue / believe?

Answer 2

1 of the first pioneers of Behaviourism.

Argued that:
People could be studied objectively, in the same way as other animals, by observing their behaviour.

Described the purpose of psychology:
‘To predict, given the environmental stimulus, what behavioural reaction will take place; or, given the reactions, state what stimulus was that caused the reaction.’

Question 3

What are the 3 theories that relate to the behaviourist perspective?

Answer 3

1- Classical conditioning
2- Operant conditioning
3- Social Learning (theory)

Question 4

What is a (behaviourism) treatment method for mental illness?

Answer 4

-> Desensitisation -> exposed to fear -> to unlearn phobia.

-> Conditioning

Question 5

Summarise:

Watson & Raynor (1920)’s study

-> Aim
-> Method

Answer 5

Conditioned Emotional Reactions: Little Albert.

Aim: To see if it is possible to induce fear of a previously unfeared object through classical conditioning and to see if the fear will be transferred to other, similar objects.

Method:
A case study conducted under controlled laboratory conditions with one male child participant ‘Little Albert’.

Question 6

Strength(s) of classical conditioning

Answer 6

1- Useful
In changing the conditioned behaviour by unlearning the association previously learnt.

2- High control
Research conducted in laboratory setting with high control over extraneous variables.

Question 7

Weakness(es) of classical conditioning

Answer 7

1- Qualitative data / bias
Collected through observation, which can attract observer bias / researcher bias.

2- Case study
Research is based on case study method, which can be in-depth, but lacks generalisability.

Question 8

Strengths(s) of Operant Conditioning

Answer 8

1- Useful
To parents / teachers etc. to inform them of the most effective ways to raise / educate children.

2- Data
Is collected through objective observation which could be viewed as more reliable and valid than self-report.

Question 9

Strength(s) of Social Learning Theory

Answer 9

1- Holistic
Although theory is linked to environment, it is not reductionist as other Behaviourist theories because to observe and inwardly rehearse observed behaviour engages cognition.

2- Application
Informs parents that their behaviour does have an impact on others and may inform government policy on such things at TV censorship.

Question 9

Weakness(es) of Operant Conditioning

Answer 9

1- Reductionist theory
Suggesting that changes in environmental reinforcement is the cause of behaviour, but there may be many other factors that influence behaviour.

2- Population validity / ethics.
Much research conducted on animals and children, and this lacks population validity.

Question 10

Weakness(es) of Social Learning Theory

Answer 10

1- Ethics
Children commonly the focus of research, which can raise ethical problems.

2- Reductionist
Theory implies that our behaviour is only learnt from our environment and this relates directly to the behaviour of (role) models.

Question 11

Evaluation of Behaviourist explanation

Deterministic?

Answer 11

Can’t decide their environment / experience which are believed to determine their behaviour.

Question 12

Evaluation of Behaviourist explanation

Freewill?

Answer 12

Can’t decide on what to fear / have a phobia on.

Question 13

Evaluation of Behaviourist explanation

Usefulness

Answer 13

1- Treatment:
-> Through conditioning e.g., desensitisation (exposure to e.g., phobia) to unlearn fear / behaviour.

2- Role model influence:
-> Influence that adult’s behaviour can have on children.
-> E.g., teachers / parents.
-> Importance of positive models / reinforcement.

Question 14

Evaluation of Behaviourist explanation

Nature / nurture?

Answer 14

Suggests we respond to stimuli -> NURTURE (development through experiences)

so NOT NATURE as not believed to be due to genetics / disposition.

Question 15

Evaluation of Behaviourist explanation

Validity?

Answer 15

Explanation suggests that we respond to stimuli, and that this process is physically observable.

Investigating this process therefore usually takes place in highly controlled and artificial environments which improves validity.

Question 16

Evaluation of Behaviourist explanation

Ecological validity?

Answer 16

Many studies are conducted in labs however Freud was in real life / field.

As behaviourist studies involve observing human behaviour in real life situations, it is considered to carry high ecological validity.

However, behaviour is subject to individual differences to the extent to which findings are generalised to other situations is invited.

Question 17

Evaluation of Behaviourist explanation

Reductionism?

Answer 17

Ignores:

-> Genetics
-> Inheritance
-> Brain structure
-> Bio-chemical
-> Cognitive
-> Developmental
-> Psycho-dynamic (Freud)

Question 18

Behaviourism definition

Answer 18

Our behaviour is determined by what we learn from our immediate environment (particularly during childhood) which leads us to become conditioned.

Question 19

Environment definition

Answer 19

The surroundings / external influences on individuals.

Question 20

Tablas Rasa

-> what is the link to behaviourism?

Answer 20

We are not biological machines, we are in fact BORN AS A BLANK SLATE (and do not consciously act; rather we react to environmental stimuli).

Question 21

Classical conditioning definition

+ Study link

Answer 21

Study = Pavlov

The process of a conditioned response that is paired with a specific stimulus.

E.g., Pavlov -> dogs -> they learn to associate conditioned with unconditioned stimulus.
(Rang the bell -> food -> causes salvation).

Question 22

Phobia

Answer 22

Dysfunctional behaviour.

A definite persistent fear of a particular object or situation.

Symptoms:
-> Shortness of breath
-> Palpitations
-> A feeling of intense terror.
Person realises fear is irrational.

Question 23

Learning through association definition

(& study links to)

Answer 23

Study = Little Albert (Watson & Raynor)

-> given rat / fury animals which produced neutral response.

-> Repeated loud noise - rat associated with loud noise

-> so rat = negative response

Question 24

Operant conditioning definition

(& study links to)

Answer 24

Comprises of:
-> Positive reinforcement
-> Negative reinforcement
-> Punishment

Behaviour is learnt through being rewarded (so is repeated).

OR

Punished (prevent behaviour).

Study = Skinner:
-> How animals operate on their environment to gain positive outcomes from past experiences.

Question 25

Conditioned stimulus definition

Answer 25

A stimulus that can trigger a conditioned response.

E.g., Pavlov: ringing bell triggers the dogs to salivate.

Question 26

Conditioned response definition

Answer 26

A response which is triggered by a conditioned stimulus (e.g., bell) rather than a natural stimulus (e.g., food).

Question 27

Positive reinforcement definition

(+ example from study)

Answer 27

Reinforcing behaviour by giving a reward once desired behaviour is performed.

E.g., Skinner: rats flipped lever = released a food pellet.

Question 28

Negative reinforcement definition

(+ example from study)

Answer 28

Reinforcing behaviour by taking away something it didn’t like.

E.g., Skinner: electric current in rat cage = learn to flip the lever to turn it off.

Question 29

Punishment definition

(+ example from study)

Answer 29

Giving a punishment which has the effect of weakening then extinguishing the lever pressing behaviour.

E.g., Skinner: when lever used it produces an electric shock, not food.

Question 30

‘Stamp in’ definition

(+ study it links to / is from)

Answer 30

‘Stamp in’ positive consequences:
->Trained to behave in accordance with the consequences of their past behaviour.

Study = Skinner

Question 31

‘Stamp out’ definition

(+ study it links to / is from)

Answer 31

‘Stamp out’ negative consequences:
-> Trained to behave in accordance with the consequences of their past behaviour.

Question 32

Social Learning Theory definition

(& study)

Answer 32

Suggest children observe important people in their environment and learn from them what behaviour is most appropriate.

(Imitate behaviour shown by others).

Study = Bandura.

Question 33

Models definition

(+ study it links to)

Answer 33

Individuals who demonstrate desired behaviour.

E.g., Bandura: children imitated models’ behaviour.

Question 34

Imitate definition

(+ study it links to)

Answer 34

To copy another’s behaviour e.g., Model.

Study = Bandura.