Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What are the three main assumptions of the Behaviourist Approach?

Answer 1

• Psychologists should only study observable behaviour
• Most, if not all behaviour is learnt
• Animal research can be used to explain human behaviour

Question 2

What are two strengths of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 2

• It’s very scientific as it is based of of lab studies and empirical evidence, therefore it is high in reliability and validity
• Learning mechanisms have real life application such as classical conditioning being used to treat phobias

Question 3

What are three weaknesses of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 3

• It is overly reductive as it ignores mental and biological factors that effect behaviour
• Results from animal research may not be generalisable to humans
• Animal research can be unethical