Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
(13 cards)
Who is Wilhelm Wundt and what is he know for?
Wilhelm Wundt is known as the father of psychology and he set up the first laboratory psychological experiment.
His study was seen as subjective and was the starting point for all of psychology.
Define Classical conditioning
Classical conditioning is where a neutural stimulus is repeatedly paired with a stimulus that naturally produces a behaviour. This is proven by a study conducted by Pavlov where he used the sound of a bell and food to condition dogs.
Define Generalisation
Generalisation is where the conditioned stimulus is generalised to similar stimuli.
Define Discrimination
Discrimination is where the neutral stimulus is too different to the conditioned stimulus
Define Extinction
Extinction is the general weakening of the conditioned response
Define Spontaneous Recovery
Spontaneous Recovery is where extinction is reversed and the behaviours return
What is the main concept of the behaviourist approach?
John B.Watson stated that humans are shaped through environmental factors and everyone is born as a blank slate (Tabula Rasa). And that animal behaviour is comparable to human behaviour.
Define Operant conditioning
Operant conditioning is where you learn through consequence. This is supported by research done by B.F Skinner who conducted a study on rats in a box. When they pressed the leaver food would be presented and if they pressed a different one then They would get an electric shock.
What are the four types of operant conditioning?
Positive reinforcement - Adding a reward too praise behaviour (likely to happen again)
Negative reinforcement - Taking away a chore or punishment to praise behaviour (likely to happen again)
Positive punishment - Adding a punishment to shame behaviour (less likely to happen again)
Negative punishment - Taking away a reward to shame behaviour (less likely to happen again)
How does the research methods used in the behaviourist approach support or weaken its theories?
The research methods used in the behaviourist approach were done in controlled environments and are also viewed and objective, which allowed him to measure cause and effect. - B.F SKINNERS AS EXAMPLE
This demonstrates the value of the behaviourist approach as it helped give psychology scientific credibility.
However.
One of the main criticism of the behaviourist approach is that due to all of its research being done on animals it is not easily generalisable, making the research limited.
What supporting evidence is there for the behaviourist approach?
A strength of the behaviourist approach is the supporting evidence done by Pavlov which proved that classical conditioning applies to humans. - LITTLE ALBERT STUDY.
Practical Application - Behaviourist approach
Both classical and operant conditioning can be seen in everyday life through treating phobias through systematic desensitisation and through the token economy is prisons and schools.
Debates - Behaviourist approach
The behaviourist approach is argued to be deterministic as it claims all behaviours are learnt (external factors) and that no one truly has free will. - The behaviourist approach is limited in this regard.
