behaviourism evaluation

Question 1

supporting evidence from studies

Answer 1

• Pavlov’s study of classical conditioning (and Watson and Rayner’s) and Skinner’s studies of operant conditioning
• support the validity of the behaviourist approach as they suggest that behaviour can be learned through association (classical conditioning) and the consequences of behaviour (operant behaviour)

Question 2

real world application of behaviourism

Answer 2

• Operant conditioning underpins token economies used in places like prisons and psychiatric hospitals, where individuals are rewarded with tokens for appropriate behaviour, which can later be exchanged for privileges—reinforcing positive actions.
• Classical conditioning is also used to treat phobias through techniques like flooding and systematic desensitisation, where patients gradually learn to associate the feared object or situation with relaxation rather than fear, helping them overcome their phobia.
• support its external validity as they suggest that principles can be used to explain a wide range of behaviours and help to support treatments

Question 3

strength of behavourism from Skinner

Answer 3

• Skinner used controlled experiments, such as the Skinner box (a chamber where animals like rats could press a lever to receive a reward or avoid punishment), to study behaviour.
• He manipulated consequences of behaviour (IV) to measure their effect on the animal’s behaviour (DV).
• This allowed researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships, supporting the internal validity of behaviourist research.
• Behaviourism introduced scientific methods into psychology by focusing on observable behaviour in controlled lab settings, helping to establish psychology as a credible, scientific discipline.

Question 4

weakness of behaviourism from animals being passive responders

Answer 4

• From a behaviourist perspective, animals and humans are seen as passive responders to environmental stimuli, with little conscious awareness.
• This view ignores the role of internal mental processes in shaping behaviour.
• Other approaches, like social learning theory and the cognitive approach, highlight the importance of mental processes that occur between stimulus and response.
• These suggest that people are active participants in their learning, not just shaped by conditioning.
• However, Skinner argued these processes are untestable, so focusing on observable behaviour makes the approach more scientific.

Question 5

weakness of behaviourism from its determinism

Answer 5

• The behaviourist approach is environmentally deterministic, claiming behaviour is shaped by past conditioning, not free will.
• This may be scientific, but it risks ignoring personal responsibility.
• It could undermine legal and moral accountability, with ethical implications for both offenders and victims.