The Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What does the behaviourist approach suggest

Answer 1

That we are a product of our environment and experiences

Question 2

We are _____ blank with a capacity to _______ and our behaviour is based on our ___________.

Answer 2

Born, learn, environment

Question 3

Is it scientific ?

Answer 3

Yes it is. Methods included lab experiments and behaviour is observable and measurable.

Question 4

Position on the nature vs nurture debate

Answer 4

Nurture, all behaviour is learnt

Question 5

Assumptions of the approach

Answer 5

• psychology is a science
• concerned with observable behaviour not internal processes like emotions and thinking
• when born our mind is blank
• little difference between animal and human behaviour
• all behaviour is learnt through our environment
• behaviour is the result of a stimulus—response

Question 6

Define classical conditioning

Answer 6

Learning through association

Question 7

What did Ivan Pavlov do

Answer 7

Pavlov demonstrated the importance of reinforcement by getting dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell.

Question 8

Using UCS, UCR, NS, CS and CR explain what Pavlov’s experiment did

Answer 8

Pavlov knew when a dog is presented with food it salivates but he wanted to make dogs salivate at the sound of a bell.
UCS = food UCR= salivating
NS= sound of the bell
CS= sound of the bell CR= salivating

Question 9

What did Watson and Rayner (1920) do

Answer 9

They set up a lab experiment to see if they could condition fear of rats into little Albert.

Question 10

Using UCR, UCS, NS, CR and CS to explain what Watson and Rayner did in their experiment

Answer 10

UCS = loud noise 
UCR = fear 
NS= white rat 
CS= white rat 
CR= fear

Question 11

Positives to Watson and Rayner’s experiment

Answer 11

• classical conditioning could be applied to humans
• it was scientific
• it was replicable
• results more reliable than that of Wundt’s

Question 12

Negatives to Watson and Rayner’s experiment

Answer 12

• a lab experiment in controlled conditioned may not be applicable tot he real world ( lacks ecological validity)
• experiment is not ethical

Question 13

Define operant conditioning

Answer 13

Learning through positive and negative consequences in our environment

Question 14

Define reinforcement

Answer 14

Anything that will increase the likeliness of a behaviour being repeated

Question 15

Define Positive reinforcement

Answer 15

Reinforcement that is pleasant to increase the likeliness of a behaviour

Question 16

Define negative reinforcement

Answer 16

Reinforcement which removes unpleasant consequences to increase the likeliness of a behaviour

Question 17

Define punishment

Answer 17

Anything that will decrease the likeliness of a behaviour being repeated

Question 18

Summarise Skinner’s experiments

Answer 18

Placed animals like pigeons or rats in boxes, and taught them behaviour through consequences.
For example, a rat would be in a box with a lever in it, the rat would accidentally flick the lever and get food. Over time the rat would learn to flick the lever to get the food- this is positive reinforcement.

Question 19

Strengths of the behaviourist approach

Answer 19

• scientific, theories are testable
• replicable, consistent results
• this approach is used to explain some behaviours
• this approach has influence on treatments (e.g. for phobias) which is even used today
• principles are used in education
• strong contribution to the nature vs nurture debate

Question 20

Limitations of the behaviourist approach

Answer 20

• lots of data taken from animals which isn’t always applicable to humans
• doesn’t explain all behaviour
• environmentally deterministic (there is other factors that cause behaviour)
• doesn’t account for free will