The behaviourist approach Flashcards
What does the behaviourist approach concern themselves with?
The behaviourist approach is only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and measured
What did the early behaviourists such as Watson reject introspection?
It involved too many concepts that were vague and difficult to measure. As a result, behaviourists tried to maintain more control and objectivity within their research and relied on lab studies to achieve this.
What do behaviourists believe?
Behaviourists believe that all behaviour is learned. They describe a baby’s mind as a ‘blank slate’ and this is written on by experience.
What did behaviourists believe following Darwin?
The basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species. This means that humans should not be regarded as more complex compared to animals and that research on animal behaviour is relevant to human behaviour.
What are the 2 important forms of learning?
Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning
What is classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning is learning through association and was first demonstrated by Pavlov.
How did Pavlov test this theory?
He tested his theory using dogs who were conditioned to associate the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) with food (unconditioned stimulus). This results in the dog producing saliva (conditioned response) at the sound of a bell(conditioned stimulus)
What is operant conditioning?
Learning is an active process whereby humans and animals operate on their environment. Behaviour is shaped by consequences.
