skinner Flashcards
what theory is it
social learning and individualistic
what does the theory state
if a particular behaviour results in a reward it is likely to be repeated, equally if there is an undesirable reward it isnt likely to be repeated
what is behaviourism
primarily concerned with observable behaviour opposed to internal events such ad thinking and emotion - role of the environment shaping behaviour
what are assumptions of the behaviourist approach
- we are born with a mind in ‘tabula rasa’ or blank state
- behaviour is the result of a stimulus
- the way we behaviour is a response to the environment we are in, it can change
- humans learn the same way animals do - we can study animals and apply the findings to humans
describe what operant conditioning is
learning through consequences
describe the four stages in skinners procedure in the skinner box
mouse is placed in box, fasted for 24hrs
ONE:
- conditioning begins
- researcher imagines dividing floor of box in half
- each time it moves into the half with the leaver - sugar pellet is released
TWO:
- process is repeated several times
- mouse is now staying in this half
- imaginary line is moved closer to lever
- only gives pellets if goes within this area
THREE:
- researcher only gives food if some part of its body is touching the lever
FOUR:
- food is given when the lever is pressed by its foot
- mouse has successfully learnt that by pressing it with its foot, food is administered
give:
1. the definition
2. the effect on behaviour
3. an example
of POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
DEFINITION:
required behaviour is followed immediately by a reward to encourage it
EFFECT ON BEHAVIOUR:
repeated displayed behaviour
EXAMPLE:
getting bonuses at work
give:
1. the definition
2. the effect on behaviour
3. an example
of NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
DEFINITION:
required behaviour is followed by taking away something unpleasant to encourage it
EFFECT ON BEHAVIOUR:
repeated displayed behaviour
EXAMPLE:
screaming until hwk is handed it, stops when its been handed in
give:
1. the definition
2. the effect on behaviour
3. an example
of PUNISHMENT
DEFINITION:
receiving a negative consequence following unacceptable behaviour
EFFECT ON BEHAVIOUR:
behaviour stops
EXAMPLE:
prison, physical punishment
STRENGTH: how has skinners theory been supported, link to GRAVE
its been supported by animals and then supported by Jeffery’s. This is a strength because it is therefore reliable and is also reliable as it used lab experiments because its controlled and can easily be repeated
STRENGTH: how has operant behaviour helped modify behaviour
because it is highly applicable as its used in real lie criminal justice system and other parts of society. For example, prison service punishment
WEAKNESS: does skinners study work for humans too, link to GRAVE
its invalid as animals and humans are genetically different so animal behaviour cannot be used to explain criminal behaviour - cant be generalised to humans as the sample isnt the same
WEAKNESS: how is it being in artificial environments be a weakness
because humans wouldn’t be conditioned like this in real life. therefore it lacks ecological validity as its not realistic and so it cannot be applied to real life criminal behaviour
WEAKNESS: what is a link to GRAVE
it is unethical, starving the mice for 24 hours and then testing them is harming them
