The Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is the behavioural approach?

Answer 1

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

Learning by association. Occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together - an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus.

Question 3

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 3

A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences

Question 4

What is reinforcement?

Answer 4

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated. Can be positive or negative.

Question 5

What do behaviourists believe?

Answer 5

All behaviour is learned

Question 6

How do behaviourists describe a baby’s mind?

Answer 6

A ‘blank slate’ which is written on by experience

Question 7

What are two important forms of learning?

Answer 7

Classical conditioning and operant conditioning

Question 8

Who first demonstrated classical conditioning?

Answer 8

Pavlov (1927)

Question 9

What did Pavlov show in his research?

Answer 9

How dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time as they were given food

Question 10

What was the unconditioned stimulus in Pavlov’s research?

Answer 10

The food

Question 11

What was the unconditioned response in Pavlov’s research?

Answer 11

Salivation

Question 12

What was the neutral stimulus in Pavlov’s research?

Answer 12

The bell

Question 13

What was the conditioned stimulus in Pavlov’s research?

Answer 13

The bell after being paired with food

Question 14

What was the conditioned response in Pavlov’s research?

Answer 14

Salivation as a response to the bell

Question 15

What did Skinners suggest about learning?

Answer 15

Learning is an active process whereby humans and animals operate on their environment

Question 16

What happens in operant conditioning?

Answer 16

Behaviour is shaped by its consequences

Question 17

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 17

Receiving an award when a certain behaviour is performed

Question 18

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 18

Occurs when an animal (or human) avoids something unpleasant. The outcome is a positive experience

Question 19

What is an example of negative reinforcement?

Answer 19

When somebody hands in an essay so as to not be told off, the avoidance of something unpleasant is the negative reinforcement

Question 20

What is punishment?

Answer 20

An unpleasant consequence of behaviour.

Question 21

How do positive and negative reinforcement correlate with behaviour?

Answer 21

Positive and negative reinforcement increase the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated.

Question 22

Evaluate the behaviourist approach: well controlled research

Answer 22

P: strength - approach is based on well controlled research

E: behaviourists focused on measurement of observable behaviour within highly controlled lab settings

L: suggests that behaviourists experiments have scientific credibility

Question 23

Evaluate the behaviourist approach: simplicity

Answer 23

P: behaviourists may have oversimplified the learning process

E: by reducing behaviour to such simple components they may have ignored an important influence on learning - human thought

L: suggests that learning is more complex than observable behaviour alone, private mental processes are essential

Question 24

Evaluate the behaviourist approach: real-world application

Answer 24

P: strength - principles of conditioning have been applied to real-world behaviours and problems

E: operant conditioning is the basis of token economy systems that have been used successfully.

L: this increases the value of the behaviourist approach as it has widespread application

Question 25

Evaluate the behaviourist approach: environmental determinism

Answer 25

P: limitation - sees all behaviour as conditioned by past conditioning experiences

E: skinner suggested that everything we do is the sum total of our reinforcement history. This ignores any possible influence that free will may have on behaviour.

L: extreme position and ignores the influence of conscious decision-making processes on behaviour