The Learning Approach

Question 1

What are the 4 key assumptions?

Answer 1

-born a blank slate
-mind is a black box
-only study observable behaviour
-animals and humans learn in similar ways

Question 2

what does ‘born a blank slate’ involve

Answer 2

1-mind is empty with only a few basic instincts
2-all behaviours are learned from the environment
3-this approach rejects the idea that behaviour is determined by biological causes

Question 3

what does ‘mind is a black box’ involve

Answer 3

1-concerned with observable behaviour, rather than internal events
2-abstract concepts are difficult to measure while observable concepts can be

Question 4

what does ‘only study observable behaviour’ mean

Answer 4

only studying behaviour than can be seen and therefore objectively measured

Question 5

what does ‘animals and humans learn in similar ways’ mean

Answer 5

1. laws of behaviour are equal
2. lab experiments done on animals and humans, but have strong controls and therefore high validity

Question 6

strengths of the learning approach (2)

Answer 6

-lots of research to support and it can be studied easily (skinner and pavlov)
-can be seen in real life so problems can be identified and solved (criminals)

Question 7

weaknesses of the learning approach (2)

Answer 7

-ignores other explanations of behaviour (eg brain, genetics)
-research has been conducted on small animals (rats mice)