approaches: behaviourist approach Flashcards
(15 cards)
explain why this is a learning theory
suggests that behaviour is learned, everything we do can be explained by the experiences we have.
Behavioural psychologists focus their attention on behaviour that can be observed
We learn through the environment.
outline the assumptions
- The behaviourist approach is only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and
measured - Behaviourists try to maintain objectivity and more control within their research and relied on lab experiments.
- Behaviourism suggested that the basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species. This meant that in behaviourist research, animals could replace humans as
experimental subjects
who proposed classical conditioning
Pavlov
explain classical conditioning
learning through association between a
neutral stimulus and innate unconditional stimulus
you associate an unconditioned stimulus (food) with the neural stimulus (bell) > the bell becomes the conditioned stimulus to produce the conditioned response > salivation
who proposed operant conditioning
Skinner
explain operant conditioning
behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences
positive reinforcement increase the likelihood that behaviour will be repeated
define positive reinforcement
receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed
define negative reinforcement
when a human or animal avoids
something unpleasant
define punishment
Punishment is an unpleasant consequence of behaviour
for example: being shouted at by the teacher for talking during a lesson
explain Skinner’s box
positive reinforcement > Skinner conducted experiments with rats in specifically designed cages called skinner boxes. Every time the rat activates a lever within the box it was rewarded with a food pellet. From then on the animal would continue to perform the behaviour
negative reinforcement > Skinner also showed how rats could be conditioned to perform the same behaviour to avoid an unpleasant stimulus for example an electric shock
AO3: scientific credibility
A strength of the behaviourist approach is that it is scientific.
**Pavlov **(1902) conducted a lab experiment to show how classical conditioning could be used to make a dog salivate to the sound of a bell.
STRENGTH because the behaviourist approach is based on empirical evidence carried by
controlled experiments. These experiments were replicable and the data obtained was objective and measurable.This gave psychology more credibility
AO3: research to support > phobias
One strength of the behaviourist approach is that there is research to support it.
Watson and Rayner conducted a study on Little Albert. Initially, he was shown a white rat and showed no fear. However, what did startle him and cause him to be afraid was if a hammer was struck against a steel bar behind his head. Watson and Rayner, conditioned Little Albert to fear the white rat. They did this by presenting Little Albert with a white rat and seconds later hitting a hammer against a steel bar. This was
done seven times over the next seven weeks, and each time Little Albert burst into tears.
STRENGTH because they showed that classical conditioning could be used to create a phobia. Phobias are due to associating a NS which does not produce a fear response with an UCS which naturally produces a fear response. This will cause a CS which produces a CR of fear and anxiety. Thereby showing that behaviour is learnt though association
AO3: real lipe application
it has real life application.
The behaviourist approach has been applied to the treatment of phobias, for example systematic desensitisation. The therapist and client create a hierarchy of fear, starting from the least threatening to the most threatening situation. They are then taught relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises. The client is then exposed to the hierarchy, starting with the least threatening situation. They are encouraged to relax in the presence of the phobic stimulus.
STRENGTH as it shows phobias can be overcome by replacing the negative association of the phobic stimulus with more positive ones such as feelings of calmness. This proves that behaviour is learnt due to an association.
AO3: reductionist
One weakness of the behaviourist approach is that it is reductionist.
The behaviourist approach suggests that all behaviour is learnt from the environment, therefore
supporting the influence of nurture.
WEAKNESS because it is limiting to describe behaviour solely in terms of either nature or nurture, and attempts to do this underestimate the complexity of human behaviour. It is more likely that behaviour is due to an interaction between nature (biology) and nurture (environment) for example addiction could be due to a genetic vulnerability that is triggered by a stressor from the environment.
AO3: determinism
The behaviourist approach offers an incomplete explanation of human behaviour
The behaviourist approach takes a hard deterministic point of view. They believe that behaviour is predetermined by features of the environment such as systems of reward and punishment, that we cannot control.
For example: gender is controlled by our interactions with our parents. Whereby they reward us for demonstrating gender appropriate behaviour such as girls playing with make up. This leads to the behaviour being reinforced, causing girls to
develop a stereotypical female gender identity.
WEAKNESS as it ignores the influence of free will in the explanation of human behaviour. So this theory is incomplete. > soft determinism would be the best approach as it combines both ends of the continuum and states that although we have a predetermined disposition (based on biology, environment or maybe the unconscious) ultimately we choose how we act.
