Unit 1 - Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

3 assumptions of the behaviourist app

Answer 1

1. Blank slate
2. Behaviour learnt through conditioning
3. Humans and animals learn in similar ways

Question 2

Latin word for blank slate

Answer 2

Tabular rasa

Question 3

2 types of conditioning

Answer 3

Operant

Classical

Question 4

Classical conditioning involves….

Answer 4

Learning behaviour via association

Question 5

Operant conditioning involves…

Answer 5

Behaviours learnt via reinforcement

ie- positive, negative, punishment

Question 6

Behaviourist approach link to human behaviour

Answer 6

Phobias/anorexia

Relationship formation

Question 7

Therapy of the behaviourist approach

Answer 7

Systematic desensitisation

Question 8

3 steps of SD

Answer 8

1. Counter-conditioning
2. Desensitisation hierarchy
3. Work through hierarchy

Question 9

2 types of ways of approaching phobia stimulus in SD

Answer 9

Invivo - actual items

Invitro- imagined items

Question 10

2 strengths of SD

Answer 10

+ ethical (client in control)

+ supporting evidence

Question 11

4 weaknesses of SD

Answer 11

• unethical (distressing situations)
• not effective for complex phobias
• reductionist
• temporary cure

Question 12

Classic study of the behaviourist app

Answer 12

Watson & Rayner - conditioned emotional responses

Question 13

Methodology of Watson & Rayner’s study

Answer 13

• controlled assessment in a controlled environment

- male infant, 9 months old

Question 14

Procedures of Watston & Rayner’s study

Answer 14

1. Emotional tests
2. Establishing conditioned emo. response
3. Testing conditioned emo. response
4. Generalisation
5. Changing environment
6. Effect of time

Question 15

What did Albert generalise his phobias to?

Answer 15

Rat
Rabbit
Cotton wool

Question 16

What were the findings of Watson and Rayner’s study?

Answer 16

• Albert fell forward & jumped, burying his head
• withdrew hand when rat nuzzled it
• still played with the blocks
• in new environment fear less extreme
• avoided most objects except the blocks

Question 17

What conclusions can be drawn from Watson & Rayner’s study

Answer 17

2 joint simulations in one week was enough to create fear

Fears ca be generalised

Question 18

Strengths of Watson & rayner’s study

Answer 18

G 
R - lab based, scientific 
A - shows how phobias formed, developed techniques 
V - experimental validity (int)
E - confidentiality

Question 19

Weaknesses of Watson & Rayner’s study

Answer 19

G - single child, american, mal
R
A - 
V - limited ecological validity (ext)
E - distress, no debrief, no withdrawal, lasting effects

Question 20

What is the debate of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 20

Conditioning echinacea to control behaviour of children

Question 21

5 areas to look at in the behaviourist debate

Answer 21

At home
At school
Peers
Vulnerable groups 
Ethical/social/economic

Question 22

Strengths of the behaviourist approach

Answer 22

N-
U- useful, SD treatment 
R
D
S- scientific as includes key features of FORCE

Question 23

Weaknesses of the behaviourist approach

Answer 23

N- nomothetic ignores individual difference
U
R- reductionist
D- environmentally deterministic, ignores free will
S