The Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is an approach

Answer 1

A broad perspective taken in relation to considering why we behave the way we do

Question 2

What are the 6 key assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Answer 2

-born a blank slate - a ‘tabula rasa’ and our behaviour is learnt
-classical conditioning(Pavlov) -operant conditioning (Skinner)
-Learning and basic processes same in all species
-Only interested in behaviour that can be observed and measured
-laboratory experiments

Question 3

What is classical conditioning

Answer 3

Learning through association

Question 4

What is operant conditioning

Answer 4

Learning through reinforcement

Question 5

Summarise pavlovs experiment

Answer 5

Pavlov trained dogs to associate the sound of a bell with getting food. Eventually, just hearing the bell would make the dogs salivate, even without the food. It showed how animals can learn to respond to certain cues.

Question 6

2 positives of the behaviourist approach

Answer 6

Real Life application- token economy ( criminal justice) and mental health (flooding and systematic desensitisation of phobias)

Scientific Credibility- Methodology used- observed observable- highly controlled environment

Question 7

Limitations of
behaviourist approaches

Answer 7

Deterministic (environmental)- doesn’t take into account cognitions, biology and free will only the environment

Research has largely come from animal studies- can the findings be replicated with humans