the learning approach: behaviourism Flashcards
1
Q
behaviourist approach
A
- a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
2
Q
3 main assumptions of the behaviourist approach
A
- nearly all behaviour is learnt
- animals and humans learn in the same way
- the ‘mind’ is irrelevant - we cant directly measure a persons thinking
3
Q
classical conditioning
A
- learning by association - occurs when 2 stimuli are repeatedly paired together (unconditioned + neutral stimulus)
4
Q
Pavlovs research (classical conditioning)
A
- noted dogs would salivate before being given food
- would ring a bell when feeding his dogs
- when dogs see food - salivate. Food = unconditioned stimulus and salivation = unconditioned response
- (bell - conditioned stim(salivation - conditioned resp)
5
Q
operant conditioning
A
- form of learning where behaviour is shaped/maintained by its consequences
6
Q
positive reinforcement
A
- receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed
7
Q
negative reinforcement
A
- occurs when an animal/human avoids something negative
i.e student handing in an essay to avoid punishment
8
Q
punishment
A
- an unpleasant consequence of a behaviour
i.e. being shouted at by a teacher for talking in lesson
9
Q
BF Skinners study 1953 (operant conditioning)
A
- invented ‘skinners box’ - put rats/pigeons etc inside
- each time animal activated lever,food was dispensed
- from then on animal would continue this behaviour
- animal would also press lever to avoid electric shock
10
Q
AO3 for conditioning
A
- scientific credibility - emphasis importance of objectivity
- real life application - operant conditioning - basis for token economy systems
- mechanistic view of behaviour - machine like responders to environment - no conscious insight to their behaviour
11
Q
the little albert study
A
Watson + Rayner - little albert learnt fear
- metal bar hit when albert interacted with white rat
- after few times, albert would cry upon seeing the rat
- fear response had been conditioned in albert
