The behaviourist approach Flashcards
What is punishment?
-An unpleasant consequence for behaviour , decreases the likelihood behaviour will be repeated.
What is one strength of the behaviourist approach?
P - Its focus on observable behaviours and the idea that all behaviours are learn through interactions with the environment.
E- Allows for a clear and measurable and therefore can be effectively applied in various fields i.e therapy.
T-Therefore by using the behaviourist approach it provides a practical strategies for shaping behaviour.
What are the practical issues trying to understand human behaviour by studying animals?
- Humans are much more complex. For example , humans have more developed prefrontal cortex’s that are responsible for high logic , humour , planning ect.
What is one limitation of the behaviourist approach?
P - it largely ignores internal mental process , due to the physical and mentally stressing activity’s that go off.
E - This means processes such as thoughts , feelings and motivations can lead to an oversimply complex human experiences.
T-Therefore it ay not explain why individuals behave in certain ways.
What is negative reinforcement?
- Performing a behaviour to avoid something unpleasant.
- it increases the likelihood behaviour will be repeated.
What scientific methods do behaviourists use?
Lab experiments
P - The behaviourist approach has scientific credibility and has contributed to the development of psychology as a science.
E - methods - experiment
Why is being scientific good?
-High levels of control
-Isolate variable
- establish cause and effect.
What is positive reinforcement?
Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed . It increases the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated.
What is operant conditioning?
- Learning through consequence.
What is Generalise?
-Being able to apply the finding of a study to the whole human population.
What is environment reductionism?
-It is the behaviours sole cause being conditioning.
What is environment reduction?
To reduce the complex phenomena of human behaviour down to s - r bonds.
What is classical conditioning?
- It is learning through association.
What is the Pavlov’s dogs theory?
-Pavlov showed that dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time that they were given food.
1 before conditioning = (food - response - salivation )
2 - Before conditioning (bell - response - no salivation)
3 -During conditioning ( bell + food - response - salivation)
4 -After conditioning ( Bell - response - salivation)
What are some real life application?
1 - token economies-Behavioural management system.( the individual will get rewarded demonstrating good behaviour.)-these tokens can be exchanged for rewards.
- Flooding- Behavioural therapy
- make the patients learn to associate feeling of relaxation with the phobic stimulus.
-Patient is then exposed to phobic stimulus
- Once relaxed they are cured
( Example pf classical conditioning)
What do behaviourists believe in when we are born?
1 -That we are blank slates
2 - This means that all behaviour is learnt from the environment.
3 Behaviourists are only interested in observable behaviour.
