The Behaviourist Approach (Approaches)

Question 1

What conditioning does Pavlov’s experiment involve?

Answer 1

Classical Conditioning

Question 2

What is Classical Conditioning?

Answer 2

Learning through association

Question 3

What are the assumptions of the approach?

Answer 3

-Only interested in behaviour that can be observed and measured
-You are born a ‘blank slate’ and behaviour is learnt
-Relies on Lab Experiments
-Use animals in experiments, behaviourists believe processes that govern learning are the same in all species
-Early Behaviourists rejected introspection

Question 4

What is introspection?

Answer 4

Breaking down of the consciousness

Question 5

What did Pavlov do in his experiment? (Based on responses and stimuli)

Answer 5

Unconditioned Stimulus- bowl of food provided an Unconditioned Response- salivating
Neutral Stimulus-bell provided a Neutral or No Response
Neutral Stimulus + Unconditioned Stimulus = Unconditioned Response
Conditioned Stimulus = Conditioned Response

Question 6

What are the strengths of the Behaviourist Approach?

Answer 6

-Therapies have been developed from CC
-Scientific credibility- studies are done as lab experiments, so are very controlled

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of Behaviourist Approach?

Answer 7

Experiments are carried out on animals, humans are a lot more complex than certain species so results can’t really be generalised
Very environmentally deterministic, does not recognise free will or right to make decisions - undermines the justice system