The Behaviurist Approach

Question 1

Assumption of the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

Only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and measured.

Rejects introspection

All processing is the same in all species therefore use animals in their research.

They identified 2 main forms of learning:

• operant
• classical

Question 2

Who did the research on classical conditioning

Answer 2

Pavlov 1927

Question 3

Who did the research operant conditioning

Answer 3

Skinner

Question 4

Explain the procedure and findings of Pavlovs research on classical conditioning

Answer 4

Learning through association and used their to demonstrate how dogs could be trained to salivate at the sound of a bell

Made the uncndional response of salivation at food become associated with a bell chime

His research showed how a neutral stimulus can elicit a conditioned response. Though association

Question 5

Expain skinners research on operant conditioning

Answer 5

Learning though consequences

Used rats to test this. When the animal activate the lever it was rewarded with a food pellet. Because of this the animal would continue the behaviour

He discovered that the learned behaviour would quickly become extinct f the animal was satisfied with he food pellets. To counter this variable ratio was implemented where the rewarded was not always given when the lever was pulled

Question 6

What are the types of reinforcement within operant conditioning

Answer 6

Positive- being rewarded for a certain behaviour

Negative - Avoiding something unpleasant (punishment) where the outcome is postive

Question 7

P:well controlled research is used

S

Answer 7

E: Because they focus on observable and measurable behaviour in controlled lab settings. It removes extraneous variables allowing a cause and effect relationship to form

E: TST their experiments have scientific value = Valuable in psychology

Question 8

P: Could be oversimplified

W

Answer 8

E: By breaking it into its components it might ignore the other influences on learning. Other approaches take mental processes into account

E: TST learning is more complex than the approach lets on = reductionist

Question 9

P: RWA

S

Answer 9

E: Has been the base for many token economy systems e.g prisons and psychiatric wards. They work by rewarding good behaviour with privileges etc… (operant conditioning)

W: This incenses the value of the approach becuse it has multiple applications in peoples lives

Question 10

P: Environmental determinism

W

Answer 10

E: Skinner suggested that everything we do is a sum to total of our reinforcement history. This ignores any free will we may have on our behaviour.

E: This hold a extreme position and ignores the influence of the conscience on peoples behaviour. It can have implications on things like out justice system - because it question is people should be held accountable if the behaviour is a result of their environment