The learning approach: Behaviourism

Question 1

behaviourist approach

Answer 1

a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

Question 2

assumptions

Answer 2

• rejected introspection as it involved too many concepts that were vague and difficult to measure
• tried to maintain more control and objectivity within their research and relied on lab experiments
• basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species –> animals could replace humans as experimental subjects

Question 3

Classical conditioning

Answer 3

• Pavlov
• learning by association
  occurs when 2 stimuli are repeatedly paired together an unconditioned (unlearned) stimulus and a ‘neutral’ stimulus
  Neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response that was first produced by that unlearned stimulus alone
• Dogs can be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time as they were given food = association

Question 4

Operant conditioning

Answer 4

• Skinner
• learning is shaped and maintained by its consequences
• possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment

Question 5

Reinforcement

Answer 5

a consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated

• can be positive or negative

Question 6

Positive reinforcement

Answer 6

receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed; e.g. praise from teacher

Question 7

Negative reinforcement

Answer 7

occurs when an animal (or human) avoids something unpleasant.
e.g. when a student hands in an essay so as not to be told off, the avoidance of something unpleasant is the negative reinforcement

Question 8

Punishment

Answer 8

unpleasant consequence of behaviour

Question 9

Positive and Negative reinforcement increase…

Answer 9

…the likelihood that a behaviour will be repeated

Question 10

Punishment decreases…

Answer 10

…likelihood that a behaviour will be repeated