Behaviourism (approaches)

Question 1

What is meant by the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

• the learning approach

Question 2

What is meant by classical conditioning

Answer 2

Learning by association

Question 3

What is meant by operant conditioning

Answer 3

Learning through consequences/reinforcement
(Rewards and punishment)

Question 4

What is meant by reinforcement

Answer 4

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated.

Can be + or -

Question 5

Observable events (Assumption of behaviourism)

Answer 5

• Primary concern was being able to observe and measure behaviours
• I.E. external behaviour can be objectively and scientifically measured

Question 6

Scientific
(assumption of behaviourism)

Answer 6

Behaviour must be measured in highly controlled environments to establish cause and effect

Question 7

Blank slate (tabula rasa)
(Assumption of behaviourism)

Answer 7

All behaviour is learnt from the environment
We learn new behaviour through classical or operant conditioning

Question 8

Value of animal research
(Assumption of behaviourism)

Answer 8

There is little difference between the learning that takes place in humans and that in other animals

Question 9

Behaviour S-R response
(Assumption to behaviourism)

Answer 9

Behaviour is the result of a stimulus-response
All behaviour no matter how complex, can be reduced to a simple stimulus-response association

Question 10

Classical conditioning key researchers

Answer 10

Ivan Pavlov - salivating dogs
Watson - Little Albert

Question 11

Process of CC

Answer 11

UCS —> UCR
UCS + NS —> UCR
CS —> CR

Question 12

Operant conditioning key researchers

Answer 12

Skinner - skinner’s boxes

Question 13

What is a positive reinforcement

Answer 13

Receiving a reward when certain behaviour is performed

Question 14

What is negative reinforcement

Answer 14

Occurs when an animal (or human) avoids something unpleasant

Question 15

What is a punishment

Answer 15

An unpleasant consequence of behaviour

-to stop a behaviour

Question 16

What is reinforcement used for

Answer 16

To continue a behaviour

Question 17

Outline of Skinner’s research (positive version)

Answer 17

-skinner’s boxes
- rats
- push lever for food
- reward system
- positive reinforcement

Question 18

Outline skinner’s research (negative version)

Answer 18

• skinner’s boxes
• rats
• lever to push to stop electric shock
• removing something unpleasant

Question 19

Environmental determinism

Answer 19

Behaviourists argue that humans have no choice in their behaviour and our behaviour is simply the product of environmental learning

They argue that free will is an illusion

Question 20

PEEL PARAGRAPH- STRENGTH

Answer 20

P- behaviourism has significantly contributed to the still-developing recognition of psychology as a science
E- experimental methods used in animal studies by P & S rejected the earlier emphasis in psychology on introspection, encouraged research focusing on more objective dimensions of behaviourism
E- increasingly valid and reliable understanding of human behaviour
L- helped psychology gain credibility and status as a scientific discipline, attracts more funding and research opportunities

Question 21

PEEL PARAGRAPH- STRENGTH

Answer 21

P- made important contributions to our modern understanding of human mental illness
E- many phobias are thought to be the result of earlier unpleasant learning experiences. Consequently, this understanding has helped develop therapies such as systematic desensitisation
E- some addictions such as gambling can be better understood through operant conditioning, as the rewards of gambling could be seen to reinforce the destructive behaviour
L- demonstrates that the behaviourist approach has many real world applications

Question 22

PEEL PARAGRAPH- LIMITATION

Answer 22

P-limited view regarding the origins of behaviour and being too reductionist
E- behaviourists ignore the alternative levels of explanation including the role of cognition, emotion and biological factors
E- skinner however stated that for behaviour to be investigated scientifically, it had to be directly measurable and observable, which cognitions aren’t
L- he said that even the most complex of human interactions could be explained using operant conditioning principles of learning by the consequences of our actions to either repeat or cease the behaviour

Question 23

PEEL PARAGRAPH- LIMITATION

Answer 23

P- most research has been conducted on animals such as rats, pigeons, dogs, etc
E- assumed that the principals of learning identified in these animals can be equally applied to humans
E- however human brains are qualitatively different to non human animals and humans are conscious beings who can think about how to behave rather than mechanically respond to a stimulus/reinforcement/punishment
L- due to issues with animal extrapolation the results from non human animals need to be generalised with caution to humans

Question 24

Reductionism =

Answer 24

Is explaining complex behaviour
E.g. depression down to smaller component parts E.g low serotonin