The Learning Approach - Behavourism

Question 1

What are the key assumptions in the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

1. Behaviourists are concerned with what they can see, for example environments and behaviours.
2. Psychologists believe the best way to conduct research is in a lab to achieve better control of conditions/variables.
3. Lastly they believe that behaviours can either be stamped in or out

Question 2

What research identified the two forms of learning? What psychologists led this research?

Answer 2

The classical conditioning research by Ivan Pavlov and The operant conditioning research by BF Skinner

Question 3

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 3

Learning through association

Question 4

How does classical conditioning occur?

Answer 4

Classical conditioning occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together, an unconditioned response and a neutral stimulus.
Eventually the neutral stimulus produces the same response that was first produced by the unconditioned stimulus alone

Question 5

What was the study that Pavlov conducted to prove the classical conditioning theory? (complete outline)

Answer 5

Pavlov conducted a study with dogs. He showed the dogs food (an unconditioned stimulus) alone which elicited salivation.

Then the dogs had a bell rung (neutral stimulus) which elicited no conditioned response (salivation)

During conditioning the dogs had a bell rung (neutral stimulus) and then food (unconditioned stimulus) presented to them. This elicited a salivation as an (unconditioned response).

Eventually, after conditioning, the dogs just had to hear the bell ring (conditioned stimulus now) to elicit salivation, a newly conditioned response.

This was because the association between receiving food after the bell and the salivation had been created.

Question 6

When did BF Skinner suggest his theory?

Answer 6

1953

Question 7

What did BF Skinner suggest with operant conditioning?

Answer 7

BF Skinner suggested learning is an active process, whereby humans and animals operate on their environment

Question 8

BF Skinner identified three type of consequences of behaviour. What were these three types?

Answer 8

1. Positive reinforcement
2. Negative reinforcement
3. Punishment

Question 9

Outline positive reinforcement according to BF Skinner’s research. Give an example:

Answer 9

When someone get positive reinforcement, a reward is received when certain behaviour is performed

Example: praise from a teacher after answering a question correctly in class

Question 10

Outline negative reinforcement according to BF Skinner’s research. Give an example:

Answer 10

Negative reinforcement is when an animal (or human) avoids something unpleasant

Example: student will hand in homework so he avoids being told off/getting a detention

Question 11

Outline punishment according to BF Skinner’s research. Give an example:

Answer 11

Punishment is an unpleasant consequence of behaviour

An example would be a teacher shouting at her class because they have been interrupting her

Question 12

What types of consequences of behaviour increases the likelihood of behaviour?

Answer 12

Positive and negative reinforcement increases the likelihood that a behaviour will be repeated

Question 13

What types of consequences of behaviour decrease the likelihood of behaviour?

Answer 13

Punishment decreases the likelihood that behaviour will be repeated

Question 14

What is a strength of the behaviourist approach explanation? (lab experiments)

Answer 14

The behaviourist approach relied on lab experiments which meant that clear predictions could be made and tested or measured objectively.

For example Classical and Operant conditioning had been and still are scientifically tested in lab settings.

Experimental studies like Little Albert showed how abnormal behaviour can be learnt, giving support to the model present by the behaviourist approach

Question 15

What is a strength of the behaviourist approach explanation? (temporal validity)

Answer 15

The behaviourist explanation focuses on the present day and not the past.

Since people do not know the past causes of their abnormal behaviour it is more important to sort present issues.

The model recognises the importance of current environments shaping our behaviours, by doing this making the theory capable of explaining cultural difference in behaviour

Question 16

What is a limitation of the behaviourist approach explanation? (reductionist)

Answer 16

The behaviourist approach is reductionist as all behaviours are explained in terms of conditioning.

This means abnormal behaviours is reduced down to basic levels, learning through association and reinforcements.

Additionally it suggests that humans are simple mechanisms at the mercy of environmental stimuli and ignores the impact biology has on behaviour.