The Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

Classical conditioning

Answer 1

Learning through association- two stimuli are paired to produce the same response

Question 2

Process of classical conditioning

Answer 2

UCS → UCR
UCS + NS → UCR
CS → CR

Question 3

Extinction

Answer 3

When we stop showing a CR in response to a CS as the CS is no longer presented alongside the UCS

Question 4

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 4

The immediate return of a CR when a CS is presented alongside a UCS after a period of extinction

Question 5

Generalisation

Answer 5

When a CR is demonstrated in response to a stimuli that is similar to the
CS

Question 6

Psychodynamic approach (early 20th century)

Answer 6

• Adopted a form of empiricism
• focused on the unconscious mind

Question 7

Empiricism

Answer 7

Knowledge gained from sensory experiences

Question 8

Behaviourist approach ( 1910)

Answer 8

• Investigated observable and measurable behaviours
• Lab experiments-high level of control over variables

Question 9

Humanistic approach (1950s)

Answer 9

• Used empiricism
  -Less scientific in its study of human behaviour

Question 10

Cognitive approach (1960s)

Answer 10

• Applied operationalisation to internal mental processes

Question 11

Operationalisation

Answer 11

Clearly defining variables so that they can be measured numerically and specifically

Question 12

Biological approach (1980s)

Answer 12

How neurotransmitters influence behaviour

• measuring the physiological processes within the body
• High control of variables
• drug use to investigate cause and effect relationships between biochemical and thoughts / behaviours

Question 13

Operational conditioning

Answer 13

Learning through consequence

Question 14

Positive reinforcement

Answer 14

Receiving a pleasant experience as a result of performing a desired behaviour
This increases the frequency of the desired behaviour

Question 15

Negative reinforcement

Answer 15

Removal of an unpleasant experience as a result of performing a desired behaviour
This increases the frequency of the desired behaviour

Question 16

Punishment

Answer 16

Receiving an unpleasant experience as a result of performing an undesirable behaviour
This reduces the frequency of the undesirable behaviour

Question 17

Strengths of the behaviourist approach

Answer 17

Use of scientific methodology
Has real life applications
Supported by research from Pavlov and Skinner

Question 18

Limitations of the behaviourist approach

Answer 18

Extrapolates from animal research
Theory is reductionist

Question 19

Assumptions of the behavionst approach

Answer 19

Behaviour is learned from experience so can be changed
Genetics don’t influence behaviour (tabula rasa)
Animals have the same learning processes as humans