Approaches : Behaviourist Flashcards
1
Q
Key Assumptions:
A
- everyone is born with a blank slate (tabula rasa)
- all behaviours are learnt through interaction and experiences with the environment
- forms of learning: classical and operant conditioning
2
Q
Classical Conditioning:
A
- Learning through association
- researched by Pavlov and Watson & Rayner
- UCS (unconditioned stimulus)
- UNR (unconditioned response)
- NS (neutral stimulus)
- CS (conditioned stimulus)
- CR (conditioned response)
3
Q
Classical Conditioning
Pavlov’s Dogs Study
A
Before Conditioning:
UCS (food) –> UCR (salivation)
NS (bell) –> no response
During Conditioning:
UCS (food) + NS (bell) –> UCR (salivation)
After Conditioning:
CS (bell) –> CR (salivation)
4
Q
Classical Conditioning:
Watson & Rayner
Little Albert Study
A
Before Conditioning:
UCS (loud noise) –> UCR (fear)
NS (white rat) –> no response
During Conditioning:
UCS (loud noise) + NS (white rat) –> UCR (fear)
After Conditioning:
CS (white rat) –> CR (fear)
5
Q
Operant Conditioning:
A
- learning through consequences
- researched by Skinner
- Positive Reinforcement ( + pleasant consequence)
- Negative Reinforcement ( - negative consequence)
- Punishment ( + negative consequence or - positive consequence)
6
Q
Operant Conditioning:
Skinner’s Box
A
- Positive Reinforcement (rat presses lever = food reward)
- Negative Reinforcement (rat presses lever = stops electric shocks)
- Punishment (rat presses lever = administers electric shock)
7
Q
Strengths of Behaviourist Approach:
A
- Based on well controlled research
- Focused on measurement of observable behaviour in highly controlled lab settings
- extraneous variables are removed. allows cause and effect relationships (Skinner- explanation how reinforcement influenced animal behaviour)
8
Q
Limitations of Behaviourist Approach:
A
- Oversimplified
- Reductionist - reduces behaviours to simple components
