TLA, Behaviourism : session 20 Flashcards
What is Behaviourism?
Approach based on only what can be directly seen. Focuses on relationships between stimuli and response
What are key facts about behaviourism?
- learned from environment
- only observed behaviour studied
- learned through classical and operant conditioning
What is tabula rasa?
- main assumption of behaviourists
- blank state which our mind is in when we’re born
What are the two types of reinforcement?
- positive: adding factor to increase behaviour
- negative: removing factor to increase behaviour
What is classical conditioning?
- learned by association
- conditioning of reflexes
What is an experiment which uses classical conditioning?
Parlov: conditioning dogs to salivate
1) bell rings dog doesn’t salivate
2) food presented dog salivates
3) bell rings before food is delivered
4) bell rung dog salivates
What are the UCS,UCR,CS, CR of Parlov’s experiment?
- unconditional stimulus= dog food
- unconditioned response = salivate
- conditioned stimulus = bell
- conditioned response = salivate
What does unconditional stimulus means?
Not learned or conditioned
What does unconditioned response mean?
Natural response
What does conditioned stimulus mean?
Trained stimulus to create response
What does conditioned response mean?
Learned response
What does neutral stimulus mean?
No impact until paired with unconditional stimulus
What is operant conditioning?
- learning through consequence
- involves choice
- behaviour reinforced isn’t repeated
What’s an experiment that uses operant conditioning?
Skinner 1948
- Skinner box
1) mice in chamber
2) mouse gets food when it pushes leaver
3) other mouse gets electrocuted when it pushes leaver
What is punishment ?
Used to decrease behaviour
What is an experiment used to condition an emotional reaction?
Watson & Rayner- Little Albert
- introduced Albert to multiple animals
- reintroduced them with loud noises
Baby cried and developed fear towards the animals
What are the strengths of the baby Albert experiment?
- practical: creates understanding of source of fear
- reliable: controlled and standardised
- results as was expected
What are the weaknesses of the baby Albert experiment?
- ethics: caused distress
- not generalisable: only done on one baby
- not ecologically valid: away from his home
