APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY - Learning Approach( BEHAVOURIST APPROACH) Flashcards
(17 cards)
What 2 components are in the LEARNING APPROACH
Behaviourism and Social Learning Theory
Give 4 assumptions of the Behaviourist approach
- Behaviour learned from experience we are born a blank slate
- Only observable behaviour should be studied as thought process are subjective
- Lab experiments used to maintain objectivity
- Valid to Study behaviour of animals as they share same principles of learning as humans (classical and operant )
What is classical conditioning
Learning by association
PAVLOVS research
When dogs presented with food they will salivate and this requires no learning it’s a reflex
Pavlov conditioned dogs to salivate at sound of bell by ringing bell when giving food to dogs and so eventually when bell ringed w out food dogs salivate
What is the unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response ,neutral stimulus , conditioned stimulus , conditioned response in PAVLOVS RESEARCH
UNCONDITIONED stimulus - FOOD
UNCONDITIONED response - salivate to food
Neutral stimulus- BELL
Conditioned stimulus - (neutral stimulus becomes this )
Conditioned response - salivate
What does the UCS and NS becoming associated result in
NS BECOMES CS
Give a strength of PAVLOVS research
Experimental method used - controlled conditions manipulated IV and so can accurately measure DV
ESTABLISH CAUSE AND EFFECT
Give 2 limitations of Pavlovs research
- Studied non human animals so cant generalise findings to humans , humans have free will.
- Considered unethical - dogs strapped in harnesses kept in same place for hours at a time , animals have rights .
What is operant conditioning
Learning by reinforcement
What are the 3 types of reinforcement
Positive reinforcement- rewarding for a behaviour
Negative reinforcement- rewarding by avoiding something unpleasant
Punishment - consequence of a behaviour Negative reinforcement
Describe Skinners method for positive reinforcement
Hungry rat placed in Skinner box containing lever that would drop food pellets, this acts as positive reinforcement , the rat learns quickly to go to lever after few times in box
The rats are conditioned to engage in unnatural behaviour.
Describe skinners method for negative reinforcement
Place rat in Skinner box and giving a unpleasant electric current and as rat moves it accidentally hits lever which turns electric current off , this acts as negative reinforcement , the rats quickly learn to go to lever after few times in box
Skinner also taught rats to turn lever of when light appears so electric current wont harm them
How is punishment shown in skinners method
The rat has now learned to press lever so skinner trained it to cease this behaviour by electrifying floor each time lever was pressed
Give a strength of skinners research
Experimental method - controlled conditions by manipulated consequences of behaviour and measure effect on rats behaviour
SO ESTABLISHED CAUSE AND EFFECT
Give 2 limitations of skinners research
- Non human animals used so cant generalise findings to humans
- Ethical issues - small cages , pain anxiety due to electric shocks , animals have rights
2 Strength of behaviourist approach
Practical applications , treatment for phobias , classical conditioning led to systematic desensitisation , therapist tries to remove CR into a positive response
Supported by evidence - skinner demonstrated operant conditioning
Pavlov demonstrated classical conditioning THEN EVALUATE THSE STUDY BUT LINK BACK TO BEHAVOUROST APPROACH
2 limitations of Behaviourist approach
Over simplistic , favours nurture side of nature vs nurture ignore biological factors
Supports determinism side of free will vs determinism meaning factors are out of individuals control no free will
