The Behaviorist approach

Question 1

What is the main idea of this approach?

Answer 1

To understand the functions of the brain through observable behaviour

Question 2

What is classical conditioning and who invented it?

Answer 2

Ivan Pavlov came up with the idea to attempt to associate a stimulus to produce a response from dogs (to salivate at the sound of a bell). This was done through conditioning a neutral stimulus (a bell) and associating that with an unconditioned stimulus (food) to produce a conditioned response (salivation). After continuously repeating this procedure, the dog would eventually salivate at the sound of the bell.

Question 3

What is operant conditioning and who invented it?

Answer 3

Skinner had instead created an active learning process in his experiment where he would get a rat and make them perform certain actions; this would then be reinforced positively (food treat), or it would be reinforced negatively where an action will stop something bad happening (lever) or if bad it would be punished (electrical shock). This would then make the rat continue doing the actions giving a reward and stop the actions giving punishment.

Question 4

What are the applications of Behaviourist approach?

Answer 4

Behaviourism has increased our understanding of the causes of phobias and attachment

Question 5

What is the social learning theory, and the stages?

Answer 5

Bandura created this theory that we learn through observation and imitation of others’ behaviour (our environment)
Stages:
- Attention (to the behaviour)
- Retention (to remember the behaviour)
- Reproduction (of the behaviour)
- Motivation (to want to do that behaviour)

Question 6

What is a vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 6

Imitation is more likely to occur when a person observes a role model receiving a reward for a certain action, which motivates that person to do the same

Question 7

What are the advantages of Behaviourist approach?

Answer 7

• Highly controlled environment, meaning the only variable affecting the DV is the IV and no EVs can interfere with results. Produces more reliable results.

Question 8

What are the disadvantages?

Answer 8

• Cannot be generalised to humans as the test was done on animals
• It is deterministic and does not promote free will