The Behaviourist Approach Assumptions Flashcards
How is behaviour explained?
All behaviour can be explained in terms of stimulus-response links.
How is behaviour learned?
All behaviour is learned from experience and we are born a blank slate for experience to write on. We learn via two key ways; classical and operant conditioning.
What is the mind?
The mind is a black box which should not be studied.
What do reinforcement and punishment do?
Reinforcement strengthens behaviour and punishment stops a behaviour.
What is behaviour determined by?
Behaviour is determined by the environment.
Do people have free will?
No.
Psychology should be?..
Scientific and objective.
What is the only valid material to study?
Behaviour.
What cannot be studied scientifically?
Mental processes.
What method can be used?
The experimental method is the only objective and scientific method to use.
What can human behaviour be linked to?
It is valid to generalise animal behaviour to human behaviour. Most research is conducted on animals like rats.
