The Learning Approach - Behaviourism

Question 1

What are the key assumptions of behaviourism?

Answer 1

1 All behaviour is determined by environmental stimuli through operant and classical conditioning
2 The basic processes of learning occur in all species
3 Only behaviour that can be observed and measured objectively should be studied

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

Learning through association

Question 3

Features of classical conditioning - key words

Answer 3

Neutral stimulus - produces no response pre conditioning
Unconditioned stimulus - stimulus that naturally elicits a response
Unconditioned response - response that occurs naturally with the unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned stimulus - previously neutral stimulus which after conditioning triggers the conditioned response
Conditioned response - learned response to the conditioned stimulus

Question 4

Pavlov dog study - classical conditioning

Answer 4

unconditioned stimulus ( food) causes unconditioned response (salivate)

neutral stimulus (bell) causes no reaction

neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus ( bell and food) causes unconditioned response

conditioned stimulus (bell) causes conditioned response (salivate)

Question 5

What are the other important features of classical conditioning

Answer 5

Timing
Extinction
Spontaneous recovery
Stimulus generalisation
Stimulus discrimination

Question 6

What is operant conditioning

Answer 6

A form of learning where voluntary behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences

Question 7

What is reinforcement

Answer 7

Something in the environment that increases the likelihood of behaviour occurring

Positive - something that the organism likes is added to increase behaviour eg a sticker
Negative - something disliked is taken away to restore organism to previous state and increase behaviour eg getting out of bed to turn off noisy alarm

Question 8

What is punishment

Answer 8

Punishment is the opposite of reinforcement where behaviour has negative consequences that is unpleasant for the organism so behaviour is decreased eg not completing homework and being punished by having to write lines

Question 9

Skinner rat box study - operant conditioning

Answer 9

1 hungry rat is placed into Skinner box and explores no food is given when lever is pressed
2 food is activated and every time the rat places the lever they get food
2 food is deactivated and no food is given when lever is pressed
4 food is only given when rat presses lever when a green light is on

Behaviour produced a positive consequence of receiving food (positive reinforcement)

Question 10

Evaluation of Behaviourism / Learning Approach

Answer 10

Strengths
reliable lab study cause and effect
systematic desensitisation
token economy programme for patients with behavioural problems
real life application - schools give rewards to increase good behaviour

Weakness
poor sample - only use animals
ethical issues - harm to animals that can’t consent
reductionist - suggests humans and animals learn in the same way
lacks ecological validity