Psychology In Context (approaches) Flashcards
What is the behaviourist approach
Argues that all our behaviour is learnt. Babies are born with a blank slate and it’s our environment that shapes our behaviour.
What are behaviourists concerned with studying and type of experiment
Observable behaviour rather than mental processes. Rely on lab experiments aiming to achieve control and objectivity within their research.
What is assumption one of the behaviourist approach
Classical conditioning
What is classical conditioning
Where behaviours are learnt via association, wheee a link is formed between UCS and NS producing a response.
Describe how Pavlov tested the process of classical conditioning
1) before conditioning he established that the presence of food (UCS) causes dogs to salivate(UCR)
2)also he established that the ring of a bell (NS) caused no salivation(no response)
3)during conditioning he presented the food (UCS) and the bell(NS) together. This caused the dog to salivate due to the unconditioned response to the food
4) he did several pairings of the food and the bell and after conditioning Pavlov rang the bell on its own(conditioned stimulus) and he found it caused salivation (conditioned response) because the food is now associated with the bell.
Behaviourists often use animals in their research. What are some strengths and weaknesses
Strengths- can be seen as more ethical than using on humans, no demand characteristics- control over ex variables. Generalisable to some extent.
Weaknesses- can be seen as unethical- harmful. They do act differently to humans- hard to generalise as biology, experiences and capability may vary.
Application: little Albert study. Explain why little Albert developed a phobia of white rats- classical conditioning.
Found that hammer hitting a steel bar (UCS) caused him upset (UCR). They used a white rat(NS) that he wasn’t afraid of and it caused no fear (NR). During conditioning parried the hammer(UCS) and rat(NS) together and it caused fear (UCR) from the bar. This was repeated. After it found the white rat(CS) caused fear (CR) because of association of the white rat with the bar.
What is assumption 2 of the behaviourist approach
Operant conditioning
What is operant conditioning
Form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences.
The types and definitions of operant conditioning consequences
Positive reinforcement- receiving a positive consequence for behaviour(reward) which increases likelihood it will be repeated.
Negative reinforcement- carrying out behaviour which avoids something unpleasant so more likely to be repeated.
Punishment- negative consequences for behaviour. Decreases likelihood it will be repeated.
What is skinners research (operant conditioning)
When a rat activated a lever it was rewarded with a food pellet (positive reinforcement) meaning the rat was more likely to continue pressing the lever.
Also if pressing a lever meant an animal avoided an electric shock (negative reinforcement) the behaviour would also be reported.
Describe one difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning
Classical conditioning explains how we aquire/learn to form a behaviour whereas operant explains how we maintain a behaviour
What are 2 strengths of the behaviourist approach
It is scientific- lab experiments
Real world application
What are 2 limitations of the behaviourist approach
Supports environmental determinism
Use of animals
What does he social learning theory state
All behaviours is due to our envirnoment and does not accept that conditioning shapes our behviour- observation and imitation is how people learn
What are the 3 assumptions of social learning theory
Observation and imitation
Vicarious reinforcement
Role of mediation all factors
Observation and imitation explanation and experiment
Learning takes place in a social context through observation and imitation of role models who we identify as similar to us.
Bobo doll experiment- Bandura
Children were divided into experimental conditions they watched either: an adult being aggressive towards a bobo doll or an adult being non aggressive. And when the children had been given their own doll the children who had seen depression were much more aggressive- it supports assumption.
Vicarious reinforcement explanation and study
Indirect learning- behaviours are learnt through observing the consequences of seeing others being rewarded or punished for their behaviour.
In the study different groups of children saw -the model rewarded for aggressive behaviour
-punished for behaviour other than no reward/punishment for behaviour.
When given their own doll the children who saw aggression being rewarded were much more aggressive-supports theory.
Mediation processes
Thought prior to imitation
Attention- extent behaviours are noticed
Retention- how well its remembered
Motor reproduction- ability to perform
Motivation- will to perform behaviour
Two strengths of social learning theory
Emphasises importance for cognitive factors, useful in understanding why media may have a negative impact on children’s behaviour
What are 2 limitations of social learning theory
Over reliance on evidence from lab studies
Supports environmental determinism
What is the biological approach
Everything psychological is at first biological.
If we want to fully understand human behaviour we must look at biological structures and processed within the body such as genes and neurochemistry.
How does the biological approach differ from learning approaches
Born with your biology whereas learning approach its due to the environment- nature v nurture
What are the 3 assumptions of the biological approach
Behaviour has genetic basis
Behaviour is influenced by evolution
Behaviour is due to the effect of our neurochemisty
