Behaviorism (A learning approach)

Question 1

What are the main assumptions made by the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

• Behaviourists study behaviour that can be observed and measured.
• They use lab studies to maintain control and objectivity.
• Early behaviourists rejected introspection because it was vague and difficult to measure.
• All behaviour is learnt – baby’s mind is a blank slate and is written on by experience.

Question 2

What are the two forms of learning?

Answer 2

• Classical conditioning – Learning through association
• Operant conditioning – learning
  through positive and negative
  reinforcements.

Question 3

Who was the psychologist who investigated Classical Conditioning

Answer 3

Pavlov

Question 4

What is the equation for classical conditioning?

Answer 4

UCS–>UCR
UCS+NS–> UCR
repeatedly paired
NS–>CS+CR

Question 5

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 5

Operant conditioning- Learning through positive and negative reinforcement

Question 6

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 6

Positive Reinforcement- receiving a reward for doing a particular behaviour. This encourages you to repeat the behaviour.

Question 7

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 7

Negative Reinforcement- doing something to avoid something unpleasant. This encourages you
to repeat the behaviour

Question 8

What is punishment?

Answer 8

Punishment- An unpleasant consequence of your behaviour. This decreases this behaviour being repeated

Question 9

Which psychologist investigated operant conditioning?

Answer 9

Skinner

Question 10

What was Skinner’s process?

Answer 10

Skinner’s Box
- The metal grid below is where
electric currents are passed through.
- There is a lever and a food
dispenser
- Skinner’s Rats
- Every time the rat activated a level within the box it was rewarded with food (positive
reinforcement)
- The rats were also taught to press a lever to avoid an electric shock