The Behavioural Approach

Question 1

The behaviourist approach

Answer 1

Behaviour is learned from the environment both normal and abnormal

Humans and animals learn as a response to environmental changes and consequences of behaviour

Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically and it’s these behaviours that should be studied

Question 2

Explain classical conditioning

Answer 2

Classical conditions is leaning through association. Pavlovs dogs shows that when given the unconditioned stimulus of food the dog salivates giving an unconditioned response. The introduction of a bell which is a neutral stimulus still produces the same results but over time the bell becomes a conditioned stimulus which produces a conditioned response of the dog salivating without needing the food present

Question 3

Operant conditioning

Answer 3

Positive reinforcement- consequences which are pleasant and bring repetition of that behaviour

Negative reinforcement- behaviour is repeated in order to escape an unpleasant consequence

Punishment- if behaviour results in a punishment then the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated in the future decreases

Question 4

Skinner rats study

Answer 4

Positive reinforcement
Food: get the reward of food
Shock: get rid of the pain

Negative reinforcement
Food: gets rid of the rats hunger

Question 5

Evaluation points of the behavioural approach

Answer 5

Positives:
Uses scientific methods- control over variables and precise measurements mean the studies are reliable

Effective for some disorders (phobias)

Negatives:
Use of non humans- animal studies- can’t explain human behaviour

Nature/nurture debate- takes the nurture side so is a highly reductionist approach