Approaches-behaviourist -operant Conditioning Skinner

Question 1

Approaches
Operant conditioning
skinner method positive reinforcement

Answer 1

Skinner used skinner box to put rats in that had a floor with capacity t administer electric shock
Putting hungry rat in skinner box with lever,when rat moved accidentally knocked lever food pellet dropped happened each time the accidentally knocked eventually pushed lever to get pellet -positive reinforcement
(Desire the impact of behaviour they do)

Question 2

Approaches
Operant conditioning
skinner method
Negative reinforcement

Answer 2

Putting rat in skinner box where was subjected to discomforting electric shock .accidentally knocked lever which switched off current,eventually went straight to lever to switch current off when put in box -Negative reinforcement ( do behaviour to avoid impact )

Question 3

Approaches
Operant conditioning
skinner evaluation
Experimental method

Answer 3

Controlled conditions (skinners box) ,manipulated consequence of behaviour IV
He was able to accurately measure effect on rats behaviour DV
Established cause n effect between consequences of behaviour (positive or negative) n future frequency of occurrence

Question 4

Approaches
Operant conditioning
skinner evaluation
Non humans

Answer 4

Reliance on rats n pigeons -little reveal bout human behaviour ,claims that unlike animals humans have free will ,behaviour not determined by positive n negative reinforcement in same way e.g humans may behave according to their own morals -choosing what they think is right rather than what will reward them or is better to avoid
Not valid explanation
Skinner argued free will is an illusion ,that all behaviour is external influences so testing animals is valid

Question 5

Approaches
Operant conditioning
skinner evaluation
Unethical

Answer 5

Kept animals in small cages caused them pain/anxiety
Altho BPS guidelines don’t apply to animals some psychs say animals have rights n shouldn’t be used in such exps especially as findings ma not be representative
Others say it’s acceptable as research provided insight into role of Operant conditioning n such research on humans would not be accepted under BPS guidelines