The behaviourist approach - AO3

Question 1

What is a PECs of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

• P: Strength = highly controlled research
• E: Focus on observable behaviour broken down into cause and effect
• C: However, may be over-simplifying learning to be too passive - reductionist
• S: So… by ignoring cognitive processes, behaviourism may not give complete explanation

Question 2

What is a strength of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 2

• P: Strength = real world applications
• E: Operant conditioning used for token economy systems (in institutions, schools, prisons
• E: Classical conditioning used in treating phobias
• L: So… the behaviourist approach is valuable in many areas of psychology

Question 3

What are two limitations of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 3

• P: Limitation = environmental determinism
• E: Argues all behaviour is caused by a past conditioning - ignores possibility of free will
• E: Skinner argued “free will is an illusion” - consequences for criminal behaviour
• L: So… behaviourist approach could have dangerous consequences
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• P: Limitation = ethical issues
• E: Behaviourism relies on animal testing so conditions are controlled but animals were kept in poor conditions
• E: Experiments couls not be repeated under today’s ethical guidelines (1927+1953)
• L: This means that… research may not be ethically justifiable, esp due to physiological differences from humans