Approaches 2: Behaviourism

Question 1

What are the 4 assumptions of behaviourism?

Answer 1

1. Thought processes are subjective and impossible to test scientifically, whereas behaviour can be observed and measured scientifically.
2. We are born “blank slate” which means our behaviour is primarily learnt from experience (i.e. our environment).
3. Biological factors play a very limited role in our behaviour. According to behaviourists, humans are born with a very limited set of instincts (i.e desire to eat), but these biological characteristics are too limited to explain most behaviours.
4. The laws that govern behaviour apply to humans and animals. This means the study of non- human animals is a valid tool for understanding human behaviour.

Question 2

Who was Ivan Pavlov?

Answer 2

A Russian Psychologist who developed the theory of classical conditioning using dogs.

Question 3

Define Classical Conditioning.

Answer 3

The Behaviourist theory that explains how animals and humans learn involuntary behaviours by forming associations between environmental stimuli.

Question 4

What are the 3 TYPES of Classical Conditioning?

Answer 4

1. Neutral Stimuli: a stimulus that produces a neutral response= no response.
2. Unconditioned Stimuli: a stimulus that produces an unconditioned response= unlearned response (i.e. unlearned).
3. Conditioned Stimuli: a stimulus that produces a conditioned response= learned response.

Question 5

What are the 3 STAGES of Classical Conditioning?

Answer 5

1. Pre- conditioning: no learning occurs between the neutral stimuli and the unconditioned stimuli.
2. Conditioning: learner, learns to associate the unconditioned stimulus with the neutral stimulus.
3. Post- conditioning: learning has occurred as the neutral stimulus is re labelled as conditioned stimulus as the NS and UCS were paired together.

Question 6

Define Operant Conditioning.

Answer 6

Explains how animals and humans learn to modify the strength of their voluntary behaviour with environmental consequences.

Question 7

What are the 3 TYPES of Operant Conditioning?

Answer 7

1. Positive Reinforcement: receiving a reward causing behaviour reinforcement.(Strengthens Behaviour).
2. Negative Reinforcement: remove the negative punishment to provide a reward, the reward being the removal of the punishment. (Strengthens Behaviour).
3. Punishment: giving negative punishment. (Weakens Behaviour).

Question 8

What is a Strength of Behaviourist research?

Answer 8

Behaviourist research is scientific , for example, Skinners theory of operant conditioning and his supporting research on rats illustrates how behaviourism utilised all aspects of the scientific method. Skinners research was both empirical, as he collected evidence observing how rats behaved. And it was also objective as it produced quantitative data that required little interpretation, e.g. analysing whether the rats press the lever more following positive reinforcement requires almost no interpretation. Another illustration of behaviourisms scientific nature is that the theory of operant conditioning is falsifiable. This is because it leads to an easily testable hypothesis that, if not supported, could falsify the theory of operant conditioning. Finally, the research was replicable, as it was conducted with clearly operationalised variables in controlled conditions and clear instructions. Allowing other researchers to replicate his findings.

Question 9

What did Chomsky argue against behaviourism in 1959?

Answer 9

Chomsky observed that by ages four or five, most children developed an almost limitless capacity to understand and produce sentences they have never heard before. This observation undermines the behaviourist assumption that we are born a blank slate , as if children are able to form sentences through words they’ve never heard before, then this wouldn’t be taught through experience only. Chomsky argued that humans are born with many mental capacities that are not determined by experience. For example we are born with the ability to produce language, challenging the assumption that biology plays a limiting role in explaining human behaviour.

Question 10

Why has the use of animals in behaviourist research been criticised on ethical grounds?

Answer 10

Behaviourist research has caused significant harm to animals, for example, electrocuting rats. Since animals lack language they cannot consent , and even if they could, their lack of understanding would mean their consent was not informed. However, although behaviourist research is unethical it taught us important information to understanding and providing empirical evidence for behaviourist theories.